Retail sales rise in September

Retail sales increased 0.6 percent to $66.5 billion in September, according to new StatCan data. Sales were up in four of nine subsectors, led by a 1.5 percent increase at motor vehicle and parts dealers. LBM and garden equipment sales were up 0.5 percent to $3.9 billion. Core retail sales, which exclude automotive and fuel categories, were down 0.3% in September.