Canadian retail sales edged up 0.3 percent to $38.7 billion in November, the fourth consecutive monthly gain, UPI cited Statistics Canada as reporting Tuesday. In the run-up to the New Year holiday shopping season, the largest increase in retail sales was in the sporting goods, hobby, and book stores sector. Those sales were up 2.9 percent and were largely driven by stores selling video games, the agency said. Of 11 sectors, sales were up in seven, representing 65 percent of total sales. Sales at gas stations rose for the eighth consecutive month, up 0.8 percent in November, the report said. Sales in the overall motor vehicle and parts dealers sector rose 0.3 percent, with stronger sales in some sub-sectors. "Stronger tire sales led to a 5.1 percent increase at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores," StatsCan said. "Receipts at new car dealers edged up 0.1 percent, following larger increases in the previous three months."
