Registers at Canadian retail stores clicked more regularly in May, according to figures released Friday by Statistics Canada.
The agency says Canadian retail trade in May jumped by 2% its biggest increase in seven months, pushed up by sales at auto dealers and gasoline stations.
Economists had predicted a 1.1% increase from April. The advance was the biggest since the 3.3% jump percent recorded in October 2017.
StatsCan adds sales at motor vehicles and parts dealers rose by 3.7% after a 3.8% decline in April, when many parts of the country were hit by experienced cooler than usual weather and freezing rain.
Sales at gasoline stations increased by 4.3%, partially reflecting higher prices at the pump. General merchandise stores posted a 3.2% gain.
Finally, sales rose in eight of 11 sub-sectors, representing 70% of retail trade. Stripping out the effects of prices changes, sales volume increased by 2%
