British Columbia saw the country’s biggest increase in retail sales in November, Statistics Canada announced January 23.
Retail trade in the province saw a jump of $76 million or 1.4% to $5.37 billion in November compared with one month prior. This was the biggest increase in the country in terms of both dollar value and percentage growth. Canada-wide growth was $247 million over the same period – an increase of 0.6%.
The largest growth across Canada was in motor vehicles and parts, which increased $116 million. Retail sales from electronics and appliance stores and from department stores were also both up, with increases of $78 million and $77 million, respectively.
“Consumers were out in surprising force in November,” said CIBC senior economist Peter Buchanan. “A glance at the details shows broad-based strength, with new motor vehicles surprisingly up 0.6%.
“Overall, an appreciably stronger-than-expected figure that could create some upside risk for our call of 2 ½% GDP growth for the quarter.”
Quebec came in second place in terms of growth in November, with a $75 million increase in retail sales. The biggest drop was seen in Newfoundland and Labrador, with a dip of $9 million.
Year-over-year, B.C. saw growth of $223 million. Alberta had the greatest growth over the past year, with an increase of $398 million.
