Canada retail sales were virtually unchanged at CAD 52.6B in December, matched expectations. Ex-auto sales rose 0.5% mom, above expectation of 0.4% mom. Sales were up in eight provinces. Ontario rose 0.4% as a result of higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In Toronto, sales were up 1.8%. In Alberta, sales grew 1.0%. In Quebec, sales dropped -1.4%, largest monthly decline in more than a year.
