More Canadians hit the stores in May, edging retail sales up slightly: StatsCan

OTTAWA – More Canadians went shopping May, driving retail sales up slightly to $38.9 billion.

Statistics Canada says sales rose 0.3 per cent, with gains reported in six of 11 subsectors.

Overall, retail sales have been relatively flat since November 2011.

The agency reports that stronger sales of food drove the increase at supermarkets and general merchandise stores and clothing and accessories sales also rose.

But sales were down in the car industry and at electronic and appliance stores.

StatsCan says retail sales rose in six provinces, with Alberta reporting the largest increase in dollar terms.