Retail sales* in Alberta increased by 0.9% in December. The growth followed a 0.5% increase in November.

Annual sales came in at $102 billion and were 4.4% higher than in 2022.

Motor vehicle and parts dealers saw their sales increase by $2 billion (7.7%) last year offsetting a $2 billion drop (-14.1%) in sales at gas stations.

The only other major category tracked by Statistics Canada that saw sales decrease last year was the furniture, electronics and appliances sector at -0.4%.

Annual sales in Calgary grew by 5.7% ($1.8 billion) and by 3.0% ($1.0 billion) in Edmonton.

Nationally, retail sales increased by 0.9% in December with sales higher in eight provinces.

Statistics Canada’s advance estimate points to a 0.4% decrease in January 2024.

Annual sales in Canada grew by 2.2% in 2023 with every province posting higher numbers.

*Seasonally-adjusted

Answer to the previous trivia question: At 661,848 square kilometres, Alberta is larger than Saskatchewan at 651,036.

Today’s trivia question: How many Prince Edward Islands could fit inside Alberta?