Manitoba's retail sales hottest in Canada

August 24, 2009
Winnipeg Free Press
Written by: Murray McNeill

WINNIPEG - Manitoba’s retailers rang up the biggest sales increases in the country in June, according to new Statistics Canada figures released today.

The federal agency said the province’s retail sector posted $1.25 billion worth of sales during the month, which was a 2.8 per cent increase from May’s total of $1.21 billion.

Although eight other provinces also saw their sales increase, the only one with a gain greater than two per cent was Saskatchewan, at 2.3 per cent.

Canada saw its sales increase by one per cent to $34.4 billion. Statistics Canada said it was the fifth monthly increase in the last six months, after large drops at the end of last year.

Despite the healthy month-over-month gain, Manitoba’s June sales still fell 1.2 per cent short of June 2008’s total of $1.26 billion. However, it was the smallest drop among the eight provinces that posted a year-over-year decline.

Canada’s year-over-year decline was 4.4 per cent.

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca