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Retail sales up 4.8% in February: Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 4.8 per cent to $55.1 billion in February, led by gains at motor-vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations. The agency says the overall increase came as core retail sales -- which exclude gasoline stations and motor-vehicle and parts dealers -- climbed 3.8 per cent in February, the first increase in three months. Statistics Canada also said that its preliminary estimate for March suggested a gain of 2.3 per cent for the month, but cautioned the figure would be revised. Sales at motor-vehicle and parts dealers rose 5.0 per cent in February, boosted by a 5.6 per cent ... (full story)