Retail sales rise for fifth straight month
But Ontario, Quebec post declines
Total spending in retail stores advanced for a fifth consecutive month in September, Statistics Canada said today.

Canadian retailers sold $29.1 billion worth of goods and services, up 0.2% from August when sales rose 0.7%, StatsCan said.

Consumers bought more furniture, food, office supplies, sporting goods, music, books pharmaceuticals and general merchandise. They cut back on autos and outdoor home supplies.

The government agency said “successive increases in retail sales led to advances of 1.4% in both the second and third quarter of 2004, which followed a 2.3% jump in the first quarter.”

“Retailers have enjoyed steady sales increases since the beginning of 2004, with the exception of a 0.7% decline in April,” the agency said.

In September, Alberta retailers led with sales growth of 1.8%. British Columbia and New Brunswick sales were up 1.4%.

But sales declined in Saskatchewan by 1%, in Ontario by 0.6% and in Quebec by 0.3%.