Winter storm takes toll on retailers

TORONTO — Heavy snowfall and ice in central and eastern Canada, particularly southern Ontario and the Maritimes, took a bite out of retail sales during the last weekend before Christmas. The Retail Council of Canada indicated that many members would extend their hours in the final days preceding the holiday, in order to accommodate delayed shoppers. Target kept select stores in Ontario and the Maritimes open until midnight on Monday, the day before Christmas Eve, The Globe and Mail reports.