British Columbians did not appear to stock up on goods the month before the HST came into effect, according to data released by Statistics Canada Tuesday.
Retail sales in B.C. actually fell 0.3% in June to $4.83 billion, making it one of six provinces to report declines that month, including New Brunswick (-1.8%), PEI (-1.6%), Newfoundland (-0.6%), Quebec (-0.2%) and Alberta (-0.2%).
In contrast, sales rose in the two other provinces with HST changes. Sales rose 0.3% in Ontario and jumped 3.1% in Nova Scotia, which increased its HST on July 1 to 15% from 13%.
Nationally, retail sales edged up slightly to 0.1% to $35.9 billion in June with sales increasing in five of 11 sub-sectors. The motor vehicle sector reported the largest dollar increases, with new car dealers reporting a 2% increase and used car dealers posting a 4.5% increase.
Other sectors reporting increases included electronics and appliance stores (+5.1%), home furnishing stores (+4.1%) and building materials, garden equipment stores (+0.5%).
An RBC Economics report noted, however, national retail sales growth was lower than an expected 0.4% increase in June.
Sectors reporting sales declines included gasoline stations (-2.7%), jewelry, luggage and leather goods stores (-4.2%), shoe stores (-3.7%), and convenience stores (-0.9%).