OTTAWA, April 21 (UPI) -- Canadian retail sales reversed a January decline and rose 0.4 percent in February to $37.3 billion, Statistics Canada reported from Ottawa Thursday.
Of 11 sectors, sales were down in two, the report said. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fell 0.6 percent for the third consecutive month and electronics and appliance store sales fell for a fourth month in a row, decreasing 0.6 percent.
The biggest increase by dollars among all sectors was at gasoline stations, where sales were up 1.3 percent.
By volume however, retail sales at clothing and accessories stores advanced 2.5 percent in February over January, StatsCan said.
Food and beverage store sales advanced 0.3 percent in February, while supermarkets reported a 0.4 percent increase. Retail beer, wine and liquor sales were up 0.7 percent, the report said.
