Ottawa: Canada’s retail sector displayed signs of recovery in August, with consumer spending rising sharply across automobiles, supermarkets, and clothing, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Thursday. Retail sales climbed 1.0% to C$70.40 billion (approximately $50.2 billion USD), rebounding from a revised 0.7% decline in July.
The automotive sector emerged as the primary driver of growth, posting a robust 1.8% increase. Sales of new cars led this surge, registering a notable 2.3% rise, reflecting renewed consumer confidence in the vehicle market. Clothing and accessories retail also contributed significantly, growing by 3.2%, while food and beverage sales edged up 0.3%, driven largely by supermarket and grocery store purchases. However, sales at fuel stations and buildin