Statistics Canada says retail sales surged 18.7 per cent in May led by motor vehicle and parts sales.
The agency says retail sales increased to $41.8 billion in May but that still left them 20 per cent below levels in February, before physical distancing measures were implemented to fight COVID-19.
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Economists on average had expected a 20 per cent increase in May, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv.
READ MORE: Canada’s wholesale sales higher in May after April’s coronavirus-linked record low
Sales were up in 10 out of 11 subsectors with vehicle and parts dealers, general merchandise stores and clothing stores the main contributors to May’s strength.
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The increase in sales followed a record decline of 24.1 per cent in April.
Statistics Canada says online sales were $3.8 billion in May, accounting for eight per cent of the total retail market.
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