March not so chilly for grocers and c-stores

The grocery biz bucked retail’s downward trend in March, posting a solid 0.4 per cent gain.

Statistics Canada reported Thursday that overall retail sales edged down 0.1 per cent in March to $41.1 billion, following gains in January and February.

But food and beverage store sales grew. Supermarkets and grocery stores saw March sales rise to $6.357 billion, up 0.4 per cent.

Convenience stores had the biggest jump in the food and beverage subsector, up 0.9 per cent to $560 million.

Beer, wine and liquor stores grew 0.4 per cent to $1.671 billion.

Specialty food stores, however, experienced a sale decline, falling 0.7 per cent to $495 million.

Statistics Canada reported that overall retail sales declined in seven of 11 subsectors representing 59 per cent of retail trade.

Sales fell at motor vehicle and parts dealers and at clothing and clothing accessories stores.

Those declines were largely offset by gains at food and beverage stores and gas stations.

Higher receipts were recorded at gas stations (up 0.8 per cent) for a fifth consecutive month.

Sales at food and beverage stores are now up for three consecutive months.