LBM, garden sales among growth drivers in March

Retail sales rose by 3.6 percent to $57.6 billion in March, StatCan reports, led by higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (up 19.8 percent) and clothing and clothing accessories stores. Sales increased in 10 of 11 subsectors, representing 79.1 percent of retail trade. Only sales at food and beverage stores saw a decline for the month.