Traffic and volume were picking up in Saskatchewan restaurants as we rolled into the summer months.
The latest report on sales for the food and drink industry show sales in Saskatchewan outlets rose 1.1-percent in July. That was second-best in the country and, if it were annualized, it would be running in the 13-percent range.
The story here was consistent with most of the nation although our numbers were a bit more robust. Everywhere west of Atlantic Canada saw increased sales in July with the Prairies being especially strong. Alberta saw the largest increase in July compared to June, Saskatchewan was next and Manitoba came in third on a month-over-month basis.
Compared to a year earlier Alberta and then Saskatchewan generated the largest increases.
According to the StatsCan report, about half the growth came from higher prices and the rest was the result of stronger patronage.
The biggest gains were generated by specialty outlets such as caterers while fast food stores were not far behind. Beverage sales were down across the country.
