Canadian retail sales increased less than economists forecast in September as gains at new car dealers were offset by declines at department stores and gasoline stations. Sales rose 0.1 percent to C$39.1 billion ($39.3 billion), the third straight increase, Statistics Canada said today in Ottawa. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News forecast a 0.5 percent increase, based on the median of 22 projections. New car dealership sales rose 0.9 percent to C$7.17 billion in September, and have increased 4.9 percent over the prior 12 months. Department store sales fell 0.9 percent to C$2.25 billion while gasoline station ... (full story)