Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.5% to $37.8 billion in August, largely offsetting a July decline.
The agency says gains were reported in 6 of 11 subsectors, representing 70% of retail sales.
The increase was led by higher sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers.
By volume, sales rose 0.3% overall.
The biggest single gain was at gas stations, where sales were up 1.9%.
The one per cent increase in sales of motor vehicles and parts was due mainly to higher new car sales and improved sales of RVs, motorcycles and boats.
Food and beverage stores reported sales up 0.3% for a third consecutive month of gains.
Furniture and home furnishing stores registered a 1.6 per gain in August, largely offsetting a decline in July.
Retail sales rose in eight provinces in August, with the largest gain in dollar terms coming in Ontario, where sales were up 0.9%. This was the fourth increase in five months.
Sales in Quebec were essentially unchanged between July and August.
The only provincial sales declines came in Nova Scotia (-2.3%) and Prince Edward Island (-1.1%).