Canada Retail Sales MoM1991-2020 Data | 2021-2022 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

Retail sales in Canada rose 1.1 percent over a month earlier in September 2020, following an upwardly revised 0.5 percent gain in the previous month and beating market expectations of a 0.2 percent increase. It was the fifth successive monthly rise in retail trade, boosted by sales at general merchandise (1.8 percent) and food & beverages (0.9 percent) stores, partially due to higher prices for meat, fish and dairy products. Also, sales at furniture and home furnishings stores rebounded (4.5 percent vs -2 percent in August) and sales at motor vehicle & parts advanced for the fifth straight month (1.5 percent). Year-on-year, retail trade went up 4.6 percent. Considering the third quarter as a whole, retail sales jumped 22.6 percent compared with the previous quarter. Statistics Canada also provided an advance estimate of October’s retail trade, which suggests that sales were relatively unchanged.

Retail sales in Canada increased 0.4 percent month-over-month in August of 2020, but below market forecasts of a 1.1 percent surge. The sales have been steadily recovering since falling a record 24.8 percent in April. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers, rose 0.4 percent as purchases increased in building materials and garden equipment and food and beverage stores. Sales at gasoline stations went up 1.2 percent but those at motor vehicle and parts dealers edged down 0.1 percent. Preliminary data suggests retail sales in September were relatively unchanged.

Retail sales in Canada rose 0.6 percent over a month earlier in July 2020, following a downwardly revised record 22.7 percent gain in the previous month but below market expectations of a 1 percent increase. Sales were up in 6 of 11 subsectors, in particular at the motor vehicle & parts dealers subsector (+3.3%) on continued pent-up demand for motor vehicles following pandemic-driven dealership closures in the spring; gasoline stations (6.1%) on the back of higher gasoline prices, the continued reopening of the economy, and more Canadians travelling and buying locally; and clothing & clothing accessories stores (11.2%). Meanwhile, sales fell at food & beverage stores (-2.1%); general merchandise (-0.4%) and sporting goods, hobby and music (-8.8%). Overall, the recovery in retail sales has been V-shaped, with sales in June and July, rebounding and surpassing February's pre-pandemic levels. Statistics Canada also provided an early estimate of August's retail sales of a 1.1% gain.

Retail sales in Canada jumped 23.7 percent over a month earlier in June 2020, following an upwardly revised 21.2 percent rise in the previous month and recovering further from April's record 24.9 percent plunge, but below market expectations of a 24.5 percent gain. It was the largest rise in retail trade since series began, as more regions moved ahead with plans to reopen their economies. Sales increased in all subsectors, led by motor vehicle & parts dealers (53.4%) and clothing & clothing accessories stores (142.3%). Also, sales went up at gasoline stations (26.3%); health & personal care stores (11.7%); general merchandise (8.6 percent); electronics & appliance (4.4%); and food & beverage (1.5%). Sales were up in every province in June, with eight provinces rebounding to their pre-pandemic February levels. On a quarterly basis, retail trade slumped 13.3% compared with the prior quarter. Statistics Canada also provided a July's retail sales advance estimate of a 0.7% gain.