The Canadian Press

Retail sales in current dollars rose 1% in September to $34.9 billion, their seventh increase in nine months.

Statistics Canada reports the increases were widespread with six of eight sectors showing gains.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.2%.

Retail sales have been rising since the beginning of 2009, following a sharp decline at the end of 2008.

September sales were 3.3% lower than in September 2008.

The automotive sector was up 1%, with all components recording higher sales.

Excluding the automotive sector, retail sales rose 1.1% in September, the largest gain since January 2009.

The main contributor to this increase was the food-and-beverage stores sector, where sales rose 1.3%.

The largest increase was at general merchandise stores, where sales rose 1.9%.

After four months of flat sales, sales by miscellaneous retailers rose 1.7%.

Sales in the furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores sector increased 1.2%, its largest increase since July 2008.

Sales at building and outdoor home supplies stores (down 0.2%) and clothing and accessories stores (down 0.1%) both declined.

Retail sales rose in eight provinces in September. Quebec, with a 2.2% increase, was the largest contributor with its fourth rise in the last five months.

The two provinces where retail sales did not increase were Saskatchewan and Alberta. Sales fell 0.9% in Saskatchewan in September, partially offsetting the increase in August. In Alberta sales were flat, following two months of declines.