Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 1.1% in April to $65.9 billion

Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 1.1% to $65.9 billion in April as gains at general merchandise retailers and food and beverage stores led the way higher.

The result topped the agency's initial estimate for the month that pointed to an increase of 0.2%.

Sales at general merchandise retailers rose 3.3% in April, while food and beverage retailers saw a gain of 1.5%.

Core retail sales – which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors, and motor vehicle and parts dealers – gained 1.5% in April.

In volume terms, retail sales rose 0.3% for the month.

Statistics Canada's advance estimate for May suggested a gain of 0.5% for that month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.