Key facts
- Canadian retail sales rose 1.2% in August to C$74.57 billion.
- Sales increased in all nine subsectors in August.
- Core retail sales increased 1.1% in August.
- Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers contributed most to the August gain.
Canadian retail sales increased by 1.2% in August from July, reaching C$74.57 billion, according to Statistics Canada. This rise, slightly below economists' expectations, was primarily driven by increased sales at motor vehicle and parts dealerships. The agency also provided a flash estimate suggesting sales likely grew by 0.7% in September. Core retail sales, excluding fuel vendors and vehicle dealerships, also saw a 1.1% increase in August.