In May in Saskatchewan, food services and drinking places saw an increase in sales of about 29 per cent. Nationally, sales rose about 35 per cent.

Statistics Canada says, with businesses across the country gradually reopening from the COVID-19 shut-down, higher sales were reported across all industry groups and in each of the provinces. But, when compared to a year ago, sales nationally were down about 50 per cent. In Saskatchewan, sales were off about 37 per cent.

In terms of dollar figures, the really bad month for provinces was April where, in Saskatchewan, total sales were around $79 million. That recovered to about $102 million in May. But, May of 2019 saw sales in Saskatchewan of around $161 million.