Statistics Canada reports August retail sales up 0.4% at $66.6 billion

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.4% to $66.6 billion in August, helped by higher new car sales.

The agency says sales were up in four of nine subsectors as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 3.5%, boosted by a 4.3% increase at new car dealers and a 2.1% gain at used car dealers.

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—fell 0.4% in August.

Sales at food and beverage retailers dropped 1.5%, while furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers fell 1.4%.

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In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.7% in August.

Looking ahead, Statistics Canada says its advance estimate of retail sales for September points to a gain of 0.4% for the month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.