Not all economic news in Canada was doom and gloom this spring.
Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 1% to $43 billion in May, the third increase in four months.
Sales were up in nine of 11 sub-sectors, representing 92 per cent of retail trade.
In volume terms, Statistics Canada says sales were up 0.4% after removing the effects of price changes.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealer sales rose 1.3%, boosted by a 2% increase at new car dealers. Used car dealers reported a 1.2% drop in sales. Sales at gasoline stations increased 1.9%.
Retail sales were up in nine provinces in May with Ontario, Nova Scotia and, to a lesser extent, British Columbia accounting for most of the increase.
Saskatchewan was the lone province to post weaker sales in May, edging down 0.1%.
