Retail sales declined 2.1% to $53.8 billion in May. The largest declines occurred at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-11.3%) and motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%). During the month of May, many retailers continued to face closures due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales decreased in 8 of 11 subsectors, representing 65.6% of retail trade. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers—decreased 2.4%. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 2.7% in May. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, provincial governments continued ... (full story)