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Cash or credit? Consumers ratcheted up retail spending through August

Consumers eschewed concerns from policymakers and economists about high personal debt levels, ratcheting up retail sales. Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says retail sales continued their upward trend in August, edging up 0.2 per cent to $40.3 billion.

Higher sales at food and beverage stores were partially offset by weaker sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations.

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Gains were reported in six of 11 subsectors, representing 56 per cent of total retail trade.

Read more: Canadians are richer than ever — and awash in debt 

Sales at food and beverage stores were up 1.2 per cent.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers slipped 0.5 per cent, while sales at gasoline stations declined 0.8 per cent, partially reflecting lower prices at the pump.

Retail sales rose in six provinces in August, largely led by higher sales in Ontario and British Columbia.

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