Retail sales were up Canada-wide in October for the fourth month in a row, according to Statistics Canada data released this morning.
October sales were $39.4 billion, an increase of 0.7% when compared with September’s sales of $39.2 billion. The change was largely driven by a 1.6% increase in sales of motor vehicles and parts dealers. Sales of gasoline also increased by 1.6%.
These gains were partially offset by a decline in used car sales (-2.1%) for the fourth consecutive month.
Retail trade in British Columbia increased slightly when compared with September sales, with a 0.2% increase from $5.09 billion to $5.1 billion.
The provinces with the largest increases in retail trade were:
- Quebec (1.8%);
- Alberta (0.9%); and
- Yukon and the Northwest Territories (both 0.7%).
