Canadian retail sales back to pre-coronavirus levels in June

Statistics Canada reports retail sales soared 23.7 per cent in June to $53 billion, climbing above levels not seen since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic for the first time as more parts of the country moved ahead with plans to reopen their economies.

The agency says sales were up 1.3 per cent compared with February, the last month before broad shutdowns were ordered by public health officials to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic It added that early estimates suggest retail sales increased by 0.7 per cent in July.

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Economists on average had expected an increase of 24.5 per cent for June, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.

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Retail sales in June were up across all of the subsectors with the motor vehicle and parts dealers group up 53.4 per cent. Sales at non-essential retailers also surged higher with clothing and clothing accessories stores posting a 142.3 per cent gain in June.