According to Statistics Canada, retail sales across the country edged down 0.2% in December to $38.6 billion, following four consecutive monthly increases.
The downward trend was attributed to lower sales in five provinces in December, including B.C., which registered the largest decrease.
B.C. retail sales fell 1.4% with widespread declines across store types.
However StatsCan noted that this decrease did not offset the previous four consecutive monthly gains in the province.
Across Canada, weak holiday sales were cited as a factor in the decline.
“Most store types typically associated with holiday shopping registered weaker results in December,” StatsCan stated.
Sales at general merchandise stores decreased 1.1%, reflecting lower sales at department stores.
Sales at department stores fell 1.5%, down a fourth consecutive month.
@jharrisonbiv
