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‘Gardening’ sales off to good start: StatsCan

May 21, 2010  By The Canadian Press


May 21, 2010, Ottawa – Retail sales
increased for a fourth straight month in March, rising 2.1 per cent to
$37
billion, with the garden equipment and supply sector among those posting
the
strongest gains.



May 21, 2010, Ottawa – Retail sales
increased for a fourth straight month in March, rising 2.1 per cent to $37
billion, with the garden equipment and supply sector among those posting the
strongest gains. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies
dealers increased 6.6 per cent.

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Overall, Statistics Canada reports
the gain was largely due to higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Sales by volume rose 2.2 per cent as retail continued an upward trend that
began this year.

The largest contributor to the
overall increase was a 3.6 per cent rise at motor vehicle and parts dealers,
powered by a 5.5 per cent rise at “other’’ motor vehicle dealers (motor homes,
motorcycles and recreational watercraft). Automotive parts, accessories and
tire stores enjoyed a 4.6 per cent gain while sales at new car dealers rose 3.5
per cent and gas stations were up 2.3.

Clothing and clothing accessories
stores were up 4.4 per cent.

Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book
and music stores rose 3.1.

Food and beverage stores edged down
0.1 per cent in March, due primarily to a 4.7 per cent decline at beer, wine
and liquor stores.

Retail sales declined for a second
consecutive month at furniture and home furnishing stores, falling 0.9 per cent
in March.

Newfoundland and Labrador had the
highest growth rate among the provinces at 3.1 per cent.


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