Canadian consumers spent more in April then they did the previous month, according to a new survey.

Spending on seasonal, sporting good, home furnishings and apparel has driven the growth of Retail Reid Index; a national sample of Canadian adult spending developed by Angus Reid Strategies, to 105.4 per cent in April, a 1.2 per cent increase over March.

"The influence of spring is most clearly pronounced in the seasonal and outdoor category," says David Gardner, Senior Research Manager of Angus Reid Strategies' Retail and Consumer Practice. "Both involvement and spending are notably higher in the category, as many Canadians begin preparing their outdoor spaces for spring and summer."

While apparel is up, sales of big ticket items such as: furniture, major appliances, home electronics, and computers, are down at January levels. While unpredictability exists for retailers, seasonal spending is helping in at least some categories.

"We aren't dropping like the latter half of 2008, but the market is still too fragile to say the worst is over, it's still somewhat unpredictable," says Gardner.

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