Sales in the food services and drinking places sector dipped in Alberta in August.

Statistics Canada reported Monday that sales in Alberta fell by 0.8 per cent from July to $796.9 million.

However, on an annual basis sales were up by 2.5 per cent.

Nationally, following three months of strong gains, sales in the food services and drinking places subsector edged down 0.1 per cent to $6.1 billion in August, said the federal agency.

“The decline was mainly attributable to lower spending in drinking places (-2.1 per cent) and special food services (-0.3 per cent), as receipts were unchanged at full-service restaurants and limited-service restaurants,” it said.

“Sales were down in six provinces in August, with the largest declines in Quebec (-1.4 per cent), Alberta (-0.8 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (-3.1 per cent) and Manitoba (-1.3 per cent). Sales were up in four provinces, led by Ontario (+0.4 per cent), British Columbia (+0.8 per cent) and Saskatchewan (+1.5 per cent).”

Sales rose nationally by 5.5 per cent from a year ago.

Mario Toneguzzi is a veteran Calgary-based journalist who worked for 35 years for the Calgary Herald, including 12 years as a senior business writer.

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