Core retail sales decline in January

OTTAWA ― Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month, up 0.4% to $52.0 billion in January, StatCan reports. The increase was primarily attributable to higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations, both of which were down in December. The other nine subsectors, which comprise the core retail sector, collectively declined 0.3%. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers decreased 1.6%, following a 4.1% increase in December.