Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.6 percent to $66.5 billion in September led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
The agency also says its early estimates suggest retail sales increased 0.8 percent in October, though it cautioned the estimates would be revised.
For September, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.5 percent, led by a 2.4 percent gain in sales at new car dealers, while used car dealers saw a two percent drop.
Statistics Canada says core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—fell 0.3 percent in September.
Sales at food and beverage retailers fell 0.4 percent, while sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers dropped 1.6 percent.
In volume terms, overall retail sales increased 0.3 percent in September.
