Statistics Canada says retail sales edged down 0.1 per cent to $50.4 billion in December as sales at gasoline stations moved lower due in large part to lower prices at the pump. Economists had expected a contraction of 0.3 per cent for the month, according to Thomson Reuters Eikon.
The email you need for the day's
top news stories from Canada and around the world.
Sales at gasoline stations fell 3.6 per cent in December, while sales at electronics and appliance stores decreased 4 per cent.
READ MORE: Canadian retail sales drop in November, fail to deliver holiday shopping boost
Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales increased 0.4 per cent. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.0 per cent, led by a 1.2 per cent increase at new car dealers.
Retail sales in volume terms increased 0.2 per cent.
More on Canada
- Premier Moe responds to Trudeau’s ‘good luck with that’ comment
- Drumheller hoping to break record for ‘largest gathering of people dressed as dinosaurs’
- As Canada’s tax deadline nears, what happens if you don’t file your return?
- Posters promoting ‘Steal From Loblaws Day’ are circulating. How did we get here?
Comments