Canada: Retail sales were up in every province in January

According to the report published by the Statistics Canada, retail sales rose 2.2% to $46.0 billion in January, led by four subsectors that rebounded from lower sales in December. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales advanced 1.7%.

Key findings

• The largest increase in dollar terms was a 3.8% advance at motor vehicle and parts dealers
• Sales at health and personal care stores increased 6.0% in January, more than offsetting the 3.0% decline in December
• Retail sales were up in every province in January
• Ontario (+1.7%), Quebec (+2.6%), British Columbia (+2.9%), Alberta (+2.4%), Saskatchewan (+3.7%), Manitoba (+2.5%), Labrador (+2.6%), Nova Scotia (+2.1%)​​​​​​​, Prince Edward Island (+4.3%), ​​​​​​​New Brunswick (+0.1%​).