Forex berza

Canadian retail sales snapped back in August following two consecutive lackluster months, as sales at gas stations and grocery stores picked up, official data revealed Friday.

Retail sales increased 0.5% in current dollars to C$36.1 billion in August after flat sales the previous two months, according to figures from Statistics Canada. Economists expected sales to drop 0.1%.

Sales were up 3.5% compared to the same month a year ago.

The largest increase in dollar terms among all subsectors was registered at gasoline stations, where sales rose 2.1%, a second consecutive monthly increase. Receipts from food and beverage stores rose 0.8%.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers' sales increased 0.7%.

A 1.8% decrease in sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores was the biggest decline recorded among the 11 subsectors.

Sales were up in seven provinces in August. Sales rose 1.5% in Alberta following smaller increases the previous two months. Sales rose 0.3% in Ontario following flat sales the previous two months.

Stripping out auto sales, retail sales rose 0.4% in August.