Statistics Canada says retail sales increased 0.6% to $66.5 billion in September

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6% to $66.5 billion in September led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

The agency also says its early estimates suggest retail sales increased 0.8% in October, though it cautioned the estimates would be revised.

For September, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.5%, led by a 2.4% gain in sales at new car dealers, while used car dealers saw a two per cent drop.

Statistics Canada says core retail sales – which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers – fell 0.3% in September.

Sales at food and beverage retailers fell 0.4%, while sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers dropped 1.6%.

In volume terms, overall retail sales increased 0.3% in September.