Bucking the Canadian trend, B.C. retail spending slowed in August with a one-per-cent drop, in contrast to the 0.4-per-cent national increase. At a seasonally adjusted, $8.85 billion in August, sales were below this year’s monthly average of $8.9 billion, and year-to-date unadjusted retail sales fell 0.3 per cent to $70.5 billion. B.C. consumers are acting with restraint amidst slow economic conditions, with real sales down on a per-capita basis given modest inflation, and population growth at three per cent year over year.

Four out of nine subsectors in B.C. recorded lower year-over-year, unadjusted August retail sales. Gasoline station and fuel vendors reported a 11.9-per-cent decline in sales. Furniture, electronics and appliance retailers also saw a........

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