August was a record month for retail trade in Saskatchewan as sales increased for the seventh consecutive month on a month-over-month basis. Retail sales rose by 0.6 per cent in the province, the third highest percentage gain among the provinces and double the national increase of 0.3 per cent, to a record value of $1.48 billion.

“Saskatchewan consumers are confident in the direction our economy is heading and that is reflected in today’s numbers,” Economy Minister Bill Boyd says.

“Retail sales are an important factor in economic growth and today’s report is definitely a positive trend we hope will continue.”

On an annual basis, retail sales in the province were up 9.3 per cent, the highest growth rate in the nation and well ahead of the 2.7 per cent posted nationally.

“Saskatchewan’s fortunate to have had steady job growth and increasing wages for some time now,” Boyd adds. “Our new growth plan will build on our strengths so that we can continue to be an economic leader among the provinces in the months and years to come.”