Retail sales across Canada fell 0.5% to $61.1 billion in September as consumers spent less at gas stations and food stores.
Statistics Canada said that, during September, sales at gas stations declined 2.4% as prices fell, while sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were unchanged in the month.
Sales at food and beverage stores decreased 1.3% as supermarkets and grocery store sales dropped 1.6% and convenience stores lost 1.5%.
Core retail sales that exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.4% in September. In volume terms, retail sales fell 0.1%.
Despite September’s decline, Statistics Canada said its initial data for October showed that retail sales gained 1.5%, though it cautioned that the figure is preliminary and will be revised.
