Retail sales rose 0.4% in August to $53.2B, Statistics Canada reports
It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase for retail sales since a record drop in April
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.4% to $53.2 billion in August.
It was the fourth consecutive monthly increase for retail sales since a record drop in April, when pandemic-related restrictions shuttered most non-essential businesses.
Economists on average had expected an increase of 1.1%, according to financial data firm Refinitiv.
Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers rose 4.5%, while sales at food and beverage stores climbed 0.8%.
Retail sales in volume terms were up 0.5% in August.
The results came as Statistics Canada says an preliminary estimate for September suggests retail sales were relatively unchanged for the month, but added that the figure will be revised.
