Retail Sales Down 0.8 Percent in May Led by Decreases at Food and Beverage Retailers

A customer shops at a grocery store in Toronto, on May 30, 2024. The Canadian Press/Chris Young

Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.8 percent to $66.1 billion in May, weighed down by decreases at grocers and alcoholic beverage retailers.

The agency says sales were down in eight of the nine subsectors it tracks led by the 1.9 percent decline in sales at food and beverage retailers.