Canadian retail sales rose for third straight month in Sept.

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says retail sales edged up 0.1 per cent to $39.1 billion in September, the third straight monthly increase.

In volume terms, though, sales were flat.

The largest increase in dollar terms among all subsectors was a 0.6 per cent rise at motor vehicle and parts dealers, with new car sales up 0.9 per cent.

Sales rose 2.5 per cent at miscellaneous retailers, a category which includes used merchandise stores, office supply and stationery stores, and pet supply stores

General merchandise store sales decreased 0.7 per cent, with department store sales off 0.9 per cent.

Sales rose in five provinces in September led by Alberta, with sales off 0.7 per cent in Quebec and flat in Ontario.