LBM, garden sales edge up in October

Retail sales increased by 1.4 percent to $62 billion in October, StatCan reports, their largest increase in five months. Sales were up in six out of 11 subsectors, including a 0.3 uptick in LBM and garden categories. The increase was led by higher sales at gasoline stations and food and beverage stores. Core retail sales, which exclude gas and automotive categories, grew by 0.9 percent. Sales were up in nine provinces, led by a 2.6 percent increase in Quebec.