Retail sales rose 1.9% across Canada in May, an improvement over flat retail sales in March and April, Statistics Canada is reporting today.
But B.C. was at the bottom of the pack with a gain of just 0.4%. Quebec led the country with a rise of 3.1%.
Nationally, the automotive sector saw a 4.3% gain for vehicles and car parts. Food and beverage sales were up 1.1%, and alcohol sales rose 2.2%. Statistics Canada notes the uptick coincided with the late start of hockey playoffs this year.
Electronics and appliance retailers saw 0.8% fewer sales.
