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

Retail sales in Canada plunged 10 percent over a month earlier in March 2020, after rising an upwardly revised 0.4 percent in February and matching market forecasts. It was the largest drop in retail trade on record, amid business closures due to the covid-19 pandemic. Sales declined mainly at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-35.6%), namely new car dealers (-38.5%); clothing & clothing accessories stores (-51.3%); and gasoline stations (-19.8%, the largest decline on record) as crude oil prices slumped due to a global oil supply glut and lower demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. In contrast, sales of food & beverage (22.8%) and general merchandise (6.4%) rose to their highest level on record and posted their largest monthly gain since the beginning of the series. Year-year, retail trade went down 8.4%. Statistics Canada also provided an April's retail sales advance estimate of a 15.6% fall.

Retail sales in Canada increased 0.3 percent over a month earlier in February 2020, easing from an upwardly revised 0.6 percent gain in the previous month but beating market expectations of a 0.2 percent rise. It was the fourth consecutive increase in retail trade, driven by sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (1.1 percent); general merchandise stores (1.4 percent, the largest rise since June); and gasoline stations (0.6 percent). On the other hand, sales dropped at food and beverage stores (-1 percent); electronics and appliances (-0.5 percent); and clothing and clothing accessories (-1.3 percent). February's sales were affected by rail blockades and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in Canada. Year-year, retail trade went up 3 percent, slowing from an upwardly revised 3.7 percent rise.

Retail sales in Canada rose 0.4 percent over a month earlier in January 2020, following an upwardly revised 0.2 percent in the previous month and beating market expectations of a 0.3 percent gain. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (1.8 percent), led by new car dealers (1.5 percent, the second-highest level on record; and gasoline stations (1.5 percent) rebounded. Meanwhile, sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers decreased 1.6 percent, after rising 4.1 percent December. Year-year, retail trade advanced 3.4 percent, following an upwardly revised 2.6 percent rise. Canada’s national statistical office said that the impact of the coronavirus on the retail trade sector will be more noticeable in the next months, and added that respondent comments for February note that business activities have already been impacted.

Retail sales in Canada were unchanged in December 2019, following an upwardly revised 1.1 percent gain in the previous month and slightly below market expectations of a 0.1 percent rise. Higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+3.8 percent); food and beverage stores (+0.5 percent), led by supermarkets and other grocery stores (+0.3 percent); and health and personal care (+1.4 percent) were offset by lower receipts at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-1.3 percent), namely other motor vehicle dealers (-7.7 percent); and gasoline stations (-2.3 percent). On a quarterly basis, retail sales fell 0.2 percent in Q4, after rising 0.3 percent in the prior period. Year-on-year, retail trade increased 2.4 percent, following an upwardly revised 2.2 percent increase in November. Considering 2019 as a whole, retail sales went up 1.6 percent compared to 2018, the smallest rise since 2009 when Canada was in the midst of an economic downturn.