The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that retail sales rose 0.5 per cent to $73-billion in April, pushed higher by sales at gas stations and auto dealers, Statistics Canada said on Friday. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe says sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors were up 5.1 per cent for the month. In volume terms, sales for the subsector rose 0.8 per cent. Meanwhile, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 1.7 per cent as sales at new car dealers rose 1.8 per cent and used car dealers climbed 5.1 per cent. Overall retail sales in volume terms were unchanged in April. In March, retail sales volumes fell 0.7 per cent. "Sales volumes were little changed in the month after slumping in March, as higher gas prices are taking a bite out of spending," BMO senior economist Shelly Kaushik said in a note. Over all, Statscan said sales were higher in five of the nine subsectors it tracks. Core retail sales, which exclude gas stations and fuel vendors along with motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.7 per cent in April. Sales at food and beverage retailers dropped 2 per cent and general merchandise retailers lost 1.7 per cent. Signs of restrained discretionary spending were also visible.