OTTAWA -
Retail sales rose 1.2 per cent in May to $34 billion, more than offsetting a modest decline in April.
Statistics Canada reports sales increased in seven of eight sectors, led by a 2.4 per cent increase in the automotive sector.
Retail sales increased 0.7 per cent by volume.
The agency says retail sales were up in nine provinces in May, with Ontario the largest contributor at a 1.5 per cent gain.
The highest rate of increase was in New Brunswick, at 2.5 per cent, while Newfoundland and Labrador, with a one per cent gain, is the only province where retail sales have risen every month this year.
The only province to post a retail sales decrease was Prince Edward Island, where they fell 0.7 per cent.
Nationally, the agency says a 3.4 per cent rise in sales at new-car dealers was the main contributor to May's increase in the automotive sector. The rise came largely on the strength of truck sales.
Sales in the building and outdoor home-supplies stores sector increased by one per cent, double the rate of the previous month, while home centre and hardware store sales were up 1.1 per cent. Sales at food and beverage stores rose 0.7 per cent, while furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores were up 0.5 per cent, their first increase since last July.
