Core retail sales rebounded in September with a 1.4 percent rise, following a 0.5 percent decline in August.
Sales at food and beverage retailers surged 3.0 percent, led by a 3.3 percent increase at supermarkets and other grocery stores (excluding convenience retailers), which followed a 1.9 percent decline in August.
Beer, wine, and liquor retailers contributed to the growth, recording a 4.4 percent rise, their first increase in three months. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers also grew by 3.0 percent in September.
The only decline in core retail sales was noted among clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewellery, luggage, and leather goods retailers, which saw a 0.8 percent drop.
Gasoline stations and fuel vendors experienced the largest decrease in retail sales, falling 2.3 percent in September. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline. However, in volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 3.2 percent.
