Retail sales slide in July

Retail sales decreased 2.5 percent to $61.3 billion in July, StatCan reports, the first decline in seven months. Sales were down in nine of 11 subsectors, representing 94.5 of retail trade. The decrease was driven by lower sales at gasoline stations and clothing and clothing accessories stores. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers—decreased 0.9 percent.