Retail trade down in August

OTTAWA — Retail sales in August declined by 0.3% after a 0.4% increase in July, according to StatCan. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers fell for the second month, with a decrease of 1.9%. Lower sales at food and beverage stores more than offset higher sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers. Excluding the latter two subsectors, retail sales were down 1.3%. Retail sales were down in six provinces in August. Lower sales in Quebec and British Columbia accounted for the majority of the decline.