(Adds details from report)
OTTAWA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Canadian retail sales rose more
than expected in August, climbing for the fourth month in a row
as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers increased, data from
Statistics Canada showed on Thursday.
Retail sales rose by 0.5 percent, topping economists'
expectations for a gain of 0.1 percent. But excluding the autos
and parts sector, sales were flat. In volume terms, total retail
sales rose 0.7 percent.
Sales at new car dealers increased 1.7 percent as more new
trucks were sold, particularly in the provinces of Quebec and
Ontario. Used car purchases jumped by 5.5 percent. Overall sales
at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 2.0 percent.
Other sectors saw sales improve, including furniture and
food and beverage stores. That was offset by a 0.6 percent
decrease at gasoline stations, where sales fell for the second
month in a row.
Canada was in a mild recession in the first half of the year
but growth is expected to have picked back up in the second
half. The Bank of Canada on Wednesday painted a picture of an
economy pulling out of its downturn. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N12L0FB