Retail sales up in January after drop in December: StatsCan

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 1.0 per cent in January to $38.9 billion, after a drop in December.

The agency says the increase was spurred by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

Gains were reported in seven of 11 subsectors, representing 52 per cent of all retail trade.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 2.8 per cent in January, partially offsetting the 6.5 per cent drop in December.

The biggest drop was at gasoline stations, the third month in a row sales have decreased.

Retail sales rose in six provinces in January, with Quebec reporting the largest increase in dollar terms, at 2.1 per cent.