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Canada March retail sales down 0.2% as spending falls throughout sectors

Canada's retail sales contracted for a third successive month, missing expectations, information showed on Friday, highlighting the softness in financial development and effect of high interest rates on customer costs.

Retail sales in March visited 0.2% as consumers cut purchases of furniture, home furnishings, electronics and home appliances, Statistics Canada stated, adding that for the quarter that ended March 31, sales were down 0.2%.

Analysts surveyed had anticipated no change in retail sales from what they remained in February.

A preliminary estimate of April's sales figure showed that sales were most likely to increase by 0.7%, however this information is sourced only from half of the overall respondents normally surveyed and susceptible to modification, Statscan stated.

The waning of momentum over the quarter reflects customer care as home loans turn up for renewal at higher rate of interest, and sales look even worse in per-capita terms, with volumes well below year-ago levels, Katherine Judge, Director & & Elder Economic Expert at CIBC Capital Markets, wrote in a. note.

While the April sales number shows a jump, that is. partially led by higher fuel rates, she added.

Sales were down to C$ 66.4 billion ($ 48.41 billion),. affected by a drop in sales in 7 out of 9 subsectors,. Statscan said.

In volume terms, sales decreased by 0.4% in March.

The Bank of Canada (BoC) is likely to cut rates of interest. at its June 5 monetary policy choice statement as a. continual drop in inflation and uninspired development have actually contributed to. the proof that underlying inflation has actually been most likely. tamed.

Friday's sales numbers are most likely to give it another. evidence the economy is slowing under a near-23 year high. rates of interest of 5%.

Money markets cut their bets for a rate cut in June. to 58% from 60% after the retail sales data was released.

The Canadian dollar was trading 0.15% stronger. 0.15% in early trade to C$ 1.3709 versus the U.S. dollar, or. 72.94 U.S. cents.

Core retail sales, which omit gas station and. fuel suppliers and motor vehicle and parts dealerships, were down 0.6%. in March, registering a first reduction in core retail sales in. four months, the data company stated.

Pressure on consumer spending was also seen at food and. beverage sellers, whose sales contribute approximately nearly a 5th. of overall retail sales. It was down by 0.4% as consumers spent. less at grocery stores and grocery stores and alcohol, Statscan. information revealed.

The only 2 sectors which added to a rise in. sales were motor vehicle and parts dealerships, and building. materials and associated devices.

Motor vehicle and parts dealerships, which contribute more. than a quarter of total sales, rose 1% and was propped up as. customers purchased brand-new vehicles helping sales at dealerships to increase. by 1.1%.

(source: Reuters)