Retail sales shake off chilly weather, advance in February

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.5 per cent to $41.0 billion in February.

The agency says gains were reported in seven of 11 subsectors, representing 56 per cent of total sales.

Excluding sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers, sales advanced 0.8 per cent.

Sales at health and personal care stores grew by 2.6 per cent in dollar terms, the largest gain in any subsector.

The largest drop in dollar terms, 1.4 per cent, was reported at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers as they recorded their fifth monthly sales decrease in six months.

Retail sales rose in seven provinces in February.