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Of all commodity groups, only housewares posted a slight decline, the agency said.

Sales of automotive fuels rose 20.5 percent compared with the first quarter of 2007 and accounted for almost 12 cents of every retail dollar spent in the first quarter, StatsCan said.

The first quarter of 2008 saw Canadians spent 6 percent more on food and beverages over the same period in 2007.

Based on the continuing strength of the housing market, sales of furniture, home furnishings and electronics were up 6.5 percent over the same period in 2007, the report said.

"The strong increase of 7.6 percent in new car sales over the same quarter in 2007 was almost completely offset by a decline in truck sales", StatsCan said.

 BREAKING STORIES

Wal-Mart Canada woos Asian women

Stores adjust to slow sales predictions

Retail sales drop slightly during week

Starbucks to try three-point holiday plan

Canadian big-box to hire 6,000 seasonals

Retailers anticipate bleak holiday season

PETA protests Armani use of rabbit fur

Katrina-hurt businesses micro-loans focus

Retail sales up slightly on week

Consumer-led recession may be in progress

Chain drops coats with hidden knives

Water-bottler launches refund program

Icelandic turmoil threatens High Street

Retail sales drop during week

Longs turns down Walgreen a second time

Retail sales fall slightly

Canada's retail trade flat in July

Clemmons: 'Precious Moments' stole idea

Pumpkin crop decimated by heavy rains

Holiday sales predicted to slump this year