Sales at grocery stores fell in November as food costs soared – National | Globalnews.ca

says statistics canada Retail Sales fell 0.1 percent to $ 61.8 billion in November.

However, the federal agency says its preliminary estimate for December suggests retail sales rose 0.5 percent for that month, though it warned that figure would be revised.

Retail sales decreased in six of the 11 sub-sectors, which represent 47.4 percent of retail business.

Statistics Canada says the decrease was led by a 3.8 per cent drop in sales from the previous month at construction materials and garden equipment and supply dealers and a 1.6 per cent drop at food and beverage stores.

Overall core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers, declined 1.1 percent — the biggest decline in 11 months.

In volume terms, retail sales declined by 0.4 per cent in November.