Retail sales edge upward in July

OTTAWA — Retail sales rose 0.4% to $49.1 billion in July, according to new StatCan data, with motor vehicle and parts dealers and food and beverage stores leading the gains. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers saw sales of $3.1 billion, down 0.2% year over year but a 15.1% surge from June. Sales were up in six of 11 sub-sectors, representing 75% of total retail trade. After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms decreased 0.2%.