Retail sales in Canada increased by 0.8% in March compared to the previous month, Statistics Canada said in a report released on Friday.
Core retail sales, excluding gasoline stations, fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were up 0.2% in the reported month.
Motor vehicle and parts dealers recorded the largest increase in sales at 4.8%, while sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors dropped by 6.5% in March, registering the first decline after five consecutive months of increases. According to an unofficial advance estimate, retail sales in April rose by 0.5%.
