OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6 per cent to $74.3 billion in June, boosted by sales at general merchandise retailers. However, the agency says its preliminary estimate for July pointed to a drop of 0.8 per cent for that month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised. For June, Statistics Canada says sales were up in seven of nine subsectors, including a 2.7 per cent increase at general merchandise stores. Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers added 3.1 per cent. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, gained 1.2 per cent in June. In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.5 per cent in June. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 21, 2026. The Canadian Press
