Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6% to $74.3 billion in June, boosted by sales at general merchandise retailers.
However, the agency says its preliminary estimate for July pointed to a drop of 0.8% for that month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.
For June, Statistics Canada says sales were up in seven of nine subsectors, including a 2.7% increase at general merchandise stores.
Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers added 3.1%.
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, gained 1.2% in June.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.5% in June.