OTTAWA - Statistics Canada says the value of retail sales rose 0.4 per cent to $35.3 billion in December, offsetting the previous month's decline.
In volume terms, sales advanced even more at 0.6 per cent.
The December are expected to add to the already positive expectations for fourth-quarter economic growth.
The agency said five of eight retail sectors gained in December.
Thethe biggest advance was the 3.3 per cent gain registered by general merchandisers, including departments stores.
As well, clothing and accessories stores advanced 2.1 per cent, boosted by the shoe component, which jumped 5.2 per cent.
