Statistics Canada reports May retail sales down 1.1% at $69.2 billion

Statistics Canada says retail sales decreased 1.1% to $69.2 billion in May, driven by sales declines at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

However, the agency says its preliminary figures for June point to an increase of 1.6% for that month.

For May, three of nine subsectors were down as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers decreased 3.6%, led by 4.6% lower sales at new car dealers.

Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were relatively unchanged in May.

The only subsector within core retail sales to post a decline was food and beverage retailers, down 1.2%, led by lower sales at beer, wine and liquor retailers, along with supermarkets and other grocery retailers. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers rose 1.9%.

In volume terms, overall retail sales decreased 1.4% in May.