The gain was led by food and beverage stores and, to a lesser extent, general merchandise stores and motor vehicle and parts dealers. Sales were down at gasoline stations and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers. Excluding gasoline stations, retail sales rose 0.4%.

Sales were up in 6 of 11 subsectors, representing 75% of retail trade.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms increased 0.5%.

Retail sales were up 0.9% in the third quarter following a 1.1% gain in the second quarter. In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.4% in the third quarter.