(RTTNews) - Canadian retail sales pushed higher for a fourth consecutive month in March, bolstered by car and building material sales, official data revealed Friday morning.
Statistics Canada said retail sales rose 2.1% to C$37.0 billion, extending an upward trend that began in early in 2009.
Economists were expected overall retail sales to creep higher by only 0.2% after a revised 1.1% gain in February.
Stripping out auto sales, retail sales rose 1.7% in March, following a 0.3% rise in the month before.
Sales increased in 8 of 11 retail subsectors in March and all provinces recorded increases.
A 3.6% rise at motor vehicle and parts dealers was the largest contributor to the overall increase.
Gasoline stations registered a sales increase for an 11th consecutive month.
Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers increased 6.6%
Clothing and clothing accessories stores were up 4.4%
Retail sales rose in all provinces in March. Newfoundland and Labrador had the highest growth rate among the provinces in March with a 3.1% rise in sales.
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