Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 4.8 per cent to $55.1 billion in February, led by gains at motor-vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations.
The agency says the overall increase came as core retail sales — which exclude gasoline stations and motor-vehicle and parts dealers — climbed 3.8 per cent in February, the first increase in three months.
Statistics Canada also said that its preliminary estimate for March suggested a gain of 2.3 per cent for the month, but cautioned the figure would be revised.
Get daily National news
Sales at motor-vehicle and parts dealers rose 5.0 per cent in February, boosted by a 5.6 per cent increase at new car dealers and a 9.2 per cent increase at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores.
- Environmental advocates ask Sask. Court of Appeal to review coal decision
- Ontario government Microsoft Teams messages set to automatically delete
- Students finish testifying in former Christian school principal assault trial
- Metrolinx hands out limited-edition Lake Ontario Presto cards at Union Station
-
![]()
Business Matters: Select Canadian goods hit by new U.S. tariffs -
![]()
Carney makes several economic announcements during keynote address at Toronto investment summit -
![]()
Data centre biggest Sask. investment in history -
![]()
‘If it doesn’t save money, why do it?’: Poilievre on Carney seeking private investments at airports
Boosting core retail sales was a 6.1 per cent gain at general merchandise stores and a 23.7 per cent jump at clothing and clothing accessories stores, the first gain for the category since September 2020.
In volume terms, overall retail sales rose 4.3 per cent in February.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.