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Saskatchewan is the sales leader

Saskatchewan had the top growth rate in both retail and wholesale sales for a second consecutive year in 2008. Retailers’ sales increased 10.6% while wholesalers’ grew 41.0%, mostly as a result of wholesalers’ sales of fertilizers.

Alberta’s wholesalers also did well in 2008, with the province’s fourth double-digit growth rate in five years. However, retail sales in Alberta edged down 0.1%. This was mainly because of new car dealers’ sales, which declined 12.4%. Still, Albertans continued to lead per capita retail spending, at about $17,000.

For the first time since 1992, Newfoundland and Labrador’s population grew, contributing to a 7.6% rise in retail sales. Manitoba’s retailers also benefited from population and job growth. Quebec’s retailers also showed widespread gains in 2008.

Retailers’ sales in Ontario grew faster than the national average for the first time since 2000.