Numbers released today by Statistics Canada show that seasonally adjusted retail sales in Alberta decreased by 1.8% ($134 million) in July. The decline came after a 1.5% ($112 million) rise in June.

Year-to-date sales were 17.8% higher than in 2020 and 8.8% higher than in 2019.

Monthly retail sales pulled back in every province except Ontario and New Brunswick with total sales in Canada down by 0.6% ($336 million).

Also released today, the Monthly Survey of Food Services and Drinking Places found that seasonally adjusted restaurant and bar sales in Alberta increased by 8.1% ($59 million) in July. This is a major improvement over last year with sales up by 26.6% ($166 million) compared to July 2020.

Restaurant and bar sales, however, remain below their pre-pandemic level with revenue down by 5.0% ($42 million) compared to July 2019.

Nationally, restaurant and bar sales were still 6.7% ($431 million) lower than in July 2019.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Single-detached houses make up 61.9% of all homes in Alberta compared to 53.6% nationally.

Today’s trivia question: How many CFL football fields would fit inside West Edmonton Mall?