downtown shot
There is more money flowing into retail businesses like those in downtown Swift Current

Something to be happy about for businesses in the southwest and the rest of the province as retail sales jumped in the month of May.

The province's retail sales in May totalled $1.4 billion the highest on record for the month, an overall increase of 8.2%.

Saskatchewan had the second highest increase in the nation surpassing the 3.1% national average.

"Retail sales are a reflection of consumer confidence in our economy," Economy Minister Bill Boyd said. "We have a province that is leading the nation in a number of economic categories today, companies are investing in our province for the long term and economic forecasters are putting Saskatchewan's growth near the top of the nation for the next several years."

Saskatchewan ranked first among the provinces in monthly growth, up 2% between April and May and well ahead of the 0.3% average posted for the country.