Canadas retail sales seasonally adjusted rose 1.9 pct in February after a downward revised 0.3 pct decline in January Statistics Canada said. Retail sales rose to 12.19 billion dlrs in February a significant increase over the 11.97 billion dlrs recorded in January the federal agency said. Unadjusted sales were 7.8 pct higher than in February 1986. In February automobile sales rose 3.4 pct department store sales rose 3.2 pct and service stations were up 1.9 pct. The increases were slightly offset by a 2.0 pct decline in grocery confectionery and sundries stores sales.
CANADA RETAIL SALES RISE 1.9 PCT IN FEBRUARY