Statistics Canada data released Monday shows that sales of discretionary items in Canada jumped 9.2% in May.
Total sales for large retailers rose to $9.81 billion from $8.99 billion in April. Year over year, total sales fell only 1%.
Between April and May, sales were up for virtually every discretionary item. Lawn and garden product sales increased the most. They jumped 88.5% to $585.7 million from $310.7 million in April. Sales also rose substantially for sporting goods (24.8%), alcoholic beverages (18.8%), automotive fuels (13.8%), men's clothing and accessories (12.9%), indoor furniture and household appliances (12%).
But despite the monthly increase, sales declines for many sectors remain high for the year. Sectors with the deepest year-over-year sales declines include toys (-15.9%), hardware and home renovation products (-11.2%), home electronics (-11.1%), indoor furniture (-10.3%) and men's clothing and accessories (-9.4%).
Sectors with sales increases for the year include lawn and garden equipment (13.5%), alcoholic beverages (8.1%), non-alcoholic beverages (6.6%), prescription drugs and health supplements (4.6%), food (4.4%) and housewares (3.2%).
The CD and DVD sector was the only area to see continued declines in sales. Between April and May, sales fell 8.4% to $75.5 million from $82.4 million, well off the $84.9 million in May 2008. For the year, CD and DVD sales are down 11.1%.