LBM, garden supply sales drop in April

OTTAWA — Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month, StatCan has reported, edging up 0.1% to $51.5 billion in April. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations, sales were down 0.1%. Sales were up in seven of 11 subsectors, representing 74% of retail trade. Higher sales at gasoline stations and food and beverage stores were the main contributors to the gain. Following an increase in March, sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers fell by 2.6%.