Canadian retail sales increased 1.2 percent in May to $34 billion, led by a 2.4 percent monthly gain in the automotive sector, Statistics Canada said Wednesday.
Sub-sector sales within the automotive group were led by new car sales, which were up 3.4 percent over April, the report said.
''Used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers saw their sales rise 1.8 percent after six months of declines,'' StatsCan said. ''Sales at gasoline stations advanced 0.9 percent after decreasing 4.7 percent over the previous two months.''
Among the eight main retail sectors, clothing and accessories stores posted the only decline. Overall, sales were essentially unchanged from April, although within the sector shoe, clothing accessories and jewelry stores posted a 0.7 percent decline, the fourth consecutive monthly decrease.
''Furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores saw their sales rise 0.5 percent, the first increase in this sector since July 2008,'' the report said.
