LBM sales decline in March

OTTAWA ― Following gains in January and February, retail sales decreased 1% in March to $43.8 billion, StatCan reports. Sales were down in six of 11 subsectors, representing 74% of total retail trade. In volume terms, retail sales declined 1.3%. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers fell by 0.7%, the second decline in eight months, more than offsetting the gain in February.  Only Prince Edward Island eked out an increase, with sales rising 0.8%.