Retail: Quebec leads the way

Sales of new cars have risen sharply in Quebec in September. Quebec has recorded retail sales of 8.2 billion dollars in September, up 2.3% compared to August. It is the largest increase of all Canadian provinces and territories. In one year, retail sales in Quebec grew by 8.9%, seasonally adjusted data from Statistics Canada. This is the third largest development, after Newfoundland and Labrador (11.4%) and Saskatchewan (+9.5%). The average in Canada was 5.8%. It is a fifth higher sales in six months in Quebec. This is mainly attributable to sales in service stations and dealers of new cars. It'sa $ 36 G At across Canada, retail sales stood at 36.3 billion dollars in September, up 1.1% compared to August. It is the largest increase in sales observed in eight months. The increase in sales of new car dealers was the most important factor responsible for this increase. Taking into account changes in prices, the volume of retail sales increased by 0.7%. In September, five of the eight sectors saw their sales increase in Canada. The rising sectors accounted for three quarters of retail sales. Thus, sales in the auto sector grew by 2.2% in September, mainly due to an increase of 2.9% in sales of new car dealers. Sales of service stations in September grew by 1.7%, having maintained the upward trend observed since September 2007, which was influenced by the price of gasoline. As far as dealers motor vehicles, pleasure and parts (including tire dealers), increased sales noted in September was the fourth increase in five months. Growing by more than 1% were also observed in the sectors of retail merchandising and store various food and drinks. These increases were influenced by the acceleration of the growth of food prices recorded since the beginning of 2008. The largest decrease in sales in September was seen in the shops of building materials and products outside the house. This is the first decline in sales in this sector since April 2008.