"January retail sales, both on the headline and excluding autos, were above expectations. However, downward revisions to prior readings and a flat month in real terms erase much of the optimism from the report," said David Watt, chief economist at HSBC Bank Canada
"It looks like a solid gain in retail volumes will offset the steep drop in housing starts, allowing the Canadian economy to scratch out modest growth in the month," said Robert Kavic, Senior Economist at BMO Capital Markets in the Focus.