Business

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Retail sales edge up in July

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 09/25/2012 10:06 AM | Comments: 0

WINNIPEG — Retail sales strengthened across the country in July, and Manitoba went along for the ride.

Statistics Canada figures released today show Manitoba retailers rang up $1.39 billion worth of sales for the month. That was an increase of 0.7 per cent from June’s $1.38 billion, and was a 2.2 per cent improvement from a year earlier, when $1.36 billion worth of sales were recorded.

The stronger showing was part of a nationwide trend that saw sales increase in all 10 provinces in July. That boosted Canada’s sales by an unexpected 0.7 per cent to $39 billion from $38.7 billion in June.

Manitoba’s month-to-month gain was the third-smallest among the provinces (tied with British Columbia), while the July-over-July increase was the fourth-smallest among the nine provinces that posted better year-over-year numbers.

Economists had been anticipating a 0.2 per cent increase for Canada in July.

"A solid July report suggests that consumer spending growth picked up in the third quarter from the second quarter’s tepid pace," BMO Capital Markets economist Robert Kavcic wrote in a note to clients.

"Still, overall economic growth will be challenged to hit the Bank of Canada’s two per cent forecast for the third quarter."

— with files by Canadian Press

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Business

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.