Statistics Canada says retail sales up 1.4 per cent in January

OTTAWA –

Statistics Canada says retail gross sales rose 1.4 per cent to $66.4 billion in January, helped by positive factors at motorcar and components sellers in addition to fuel stations.

The consequence topped the company’s preliminary estimate for the month that steered a achieve of 0.7 per cent for the primary month of 2023.

However, Statistics Canada says its preliminary estimate for February suggests a decline of 0.6 per cent for the month, although it cautions that the determine might be revised.

For January, gross sales at motorcar and components sellers gained 3.0 per cent, led by increased gross sales at new automobile sellers which rose 3.0 per cent. Meanwhile, gross sales at gasoline stations and gasoline distributors elevated 2.9 per cent as gross sales in quantity phrases fell, however gasoline costs rose.

Core retail gross sales — which exclude gasoline stations and gasoline distributors and motorcar and components sellers — rose 0.5 per cent for the month.

In quantity phrases, retail gross sales rose 1.5 per cent in January.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 24, 2023