Canadian retail sales for October came in stronger than expected, rising by 0.4 per cent. Statistics Canada reported Friday that total sales activity for the month hit $54.6 billion, marking the sixth consecutive monthly increase since the record decline in April. In Alberta, sales rose 1.1 per cent on higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. "Retail sales achieved a remarkable recovery, having etched out a V-shaped rebound," BMO economist Priscilla Thiagamoorthy said in a commentary. Factoring out sales of automobiles and gasoline, sales volumes are up by almost eight per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels, he said.

Source: CBC News December 18, 2020 13:50 UTC