Retail sales exceed expectations in November

Canadian retail sales put in a strong showing in November, rising a better than expected 0.3 per cent to $38.7-billion.

It was the fourth consecutive month retail sales increased and the results beat economists' expectations for a 0.2 per cent rise.

Statistics Canada said Tuesday that seven of 11 retail subsectors, representing 65 per cent of total retail sales, reported gains.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers advanced for a fourth consecutive month, up 0.3 per cent.

Clothing and clothing accessories stores reported a 0.9 per cent sales gain during November, the third increase in a row.

However, sales at food and beverage stores declined 0.3 per cent after five monthly gains. Statistics Canada said the decrease came mainly from lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores.

Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores fell by 0.8 per cent, a third consecutive sales decrease.

Retail sales during November were up in half of the provinces, rising in Quebec and the four Western provinces for a fourth month in a row. But sales declined in all of the Atlantic provinces and Ontario.