High prices helped gas stations rake in the dough and boost retail sales across the country in February, according to Statistics Canada.
B.C. recorded a 0.7% increase to $4.83 billion in February retail sales compared with $4.80 billion in January.
Sales were up 0.3% in February compared with the same month last year.
The increase tracked alongside a national sales increase of 0.4% to $37.3 billion in February when compared with January, the national statistical agency said.
“The largest contribution to the gain in current dollars came from gasoline stations, where sales increased 1.3%,” Statistics Canada said, adding it was the seventh increase in gas sales in eight months.
The price at the pump in Vancouver hit $1.37 per litre this week, according to Calgary-based energy consultants MJ Ervin & Associates.
The rising price of crude is largely being blamed for the increase, but not all retail sales are tied to gas stations.
Statistics Canada also noted that sales at clothing and accessories stores were up 2.5% in February, while furniture and home furnishings stores saw a 2.1% increase and food and drink store sales edged up 0.3%.