Third straight gain for Canadian retail

OTTAWA — Retail sales rose for the third consecutive month, StatCan reports, increasing by 1.1% to $45 billion in October. Higher sales at gasoline stations and general merchandise stores were the main contributors to the gain. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales were up 1.4% in October. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers edged up 0.9% year-to-date, a 7.4% hike from the previous month.