A Petro-Canada gas station is seen in Mulmur, Ont., on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young - The Canadian PressOTTAWA — Canadian retail sales rose one per cent to $73.7 billion in May as higher gas prices helped boost sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors, Statistics Canada said Thursday. BMO senior economist Shelly Kaushik said beyond the gas price increase, retail sales were solid in May, with a decent flash estimate for June adding to the encouraging news. However, in volume terms, sales for gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 2.7 per cent. In volume terms, overall retail sales rose 0.3 per cent for May. Core retail sales, which exclude the more volatile prices at gasoline stations, fuel vendors, and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were up 0.9 per cent for the month.