However, the estimate for June points to a slowdown
Statistics Canada also says early estimate for retail sales in May suggests a gain of 1.6% for the month
Furniture sales drop 1%, while price increases account for 1.2% rise in food store sales
New car sales dropped 5.9% but Canadians spent more on building materials and garden supplies
"The U.S. consumer now appears to be single-handedly keeping the global economy afloat," economist said
February gains of 15.1% in clothing sales offset by 5.1% drop in auto sales: StatsCan
BMO expects a Fed rate hike of 50 bps in May as inflation cuts spending power
StatsCan research found a threshold effect to curbs on activity
Sales dropped in eight of 11 subsectors including furniture, down 11.3%
December GDP could be less than expected, a CIBC economist warns