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Canadian Retail Sales Fall, Closing Off a Weak Summer

Canadian Retail Sales Fall, Closing Off a Weak Summer

(Bloomberg) --

Canadian retailers recorded another weak month in August, ending what was a lackluster summer for the sector.

Retailers saw receipts decline 0.1 percent in August, falling for a second time in three months, Statistics Canada reported. Economists had been anticipating a 0.3 percent gain.

The nation's retailers have seen no growth in sales since the gauge hit a 2018-high in May, a summer pause that is consistent a broader trend of slowing consumer spending this year as households cope with higher borrowing costs.

Seven of 11 subsectors recorded declines in August, representing 52 percent of retail trade, the statistics agency said Friday from Ottawa. In volume terms, sales decreased 0.3 percent.

Falling sales at gasoline stations led the decline, offsetting a 0.8 percent gain in the sale of cars and auto parts. Excluding the auto sector, retail sales fell 0.4 percent.

©2018 Bloomberg L.P.