Consumers spent $78 billion on goods and services in retail stores in the first quarter of this year, Statistics Canada said today. That’s up 5.2% from the first quarter of last year.

Spending on auto fuels, oils and additives rose by 14.8% in the first quarter to $7.3 billion compared with last year, reflecting in part the fact that gasoline prices rose 9.5% over the same period.

Sales of food and beverages rose 6% to $18.4 billion, and year-over-year sales of sporting and leisure goods showed strong growth, with sales up 6% to $2.5 billion.

Consumers also spent $17.4 billion on motor vehicles, parts and services, up 3.1%, and $7.0 billion on furniture, home furnishings and electronics, up 4.8% from the first quarter of 2004.

Sales of both men’s and women’s clothes also rose.