Canada Retail Sales MoM1991-2021 Data | 2022-2023 Forecast | Calendar | Historical

Canada retails sales are set to grow 4.4% in June as COVID-19 restrictions eased, according to a preliminary estimate. Meanwhile, in May retail sales were down 2.1% mom in May of 2021, less than market forecasts of a 3% decline. In May, the largest declines occurred at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-11.3%) and motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%). Sales also fell at clothing and clothing accessories stores (-11.2%) but rose 0.8% at food and beverage stores.

Retail sales in Canada fell 5.7% over the previous month in April of 2021, above forecasts of a 5% decline. It was the first decrease in retail activity in three months and the steepest since April of 2020, amid store closures due to the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales fell in 9 of 11 subsectors, representing 74.2% of retail trade, mostly at clothing and clothing accessories stores (-28.6%) and general merchandise stores (-8.1%). Also, sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers declined for the first time in nine months (-10.4%). About 5% of retailers were closed at some point in April, compared with approximately one-third of retailers being closed at the same time last year. The average length of the shutdown was one day, compared with eight days in April 2020. Preliminary figures for May suggest retail sales likely fell 3.2%. Year-over-year, retail sales jumped 56.7%, primarily due to last year's low base.

Retail sales in Canada rose 3.6 percent over the previous month in March of 2021, well above forecasts of a 2.3 percent rise, led by higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (19.8 percent) and clothing and clothing accessories stores (23.6 percent). The lone decline in March was at food and beverage stores (-1.3 percent), where sales decreased for the third time in four months on lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores (-1.6 percent) and specialty food stores (-12 percent). These declines were partially offset by higher sales at beer, wine and liquor stores (3.1 percent). 2.1 percent of retailers were closed at some point in March due to coronavirus restrictions. The average length of the closure was less than one day, below an average of two days in February. Retail sales were up 1.8 percent in the first quarter, the third consecutive quarterly increase.

Retail sales in Canada advanced 4.8% from a month earlier in February of 2021, above market expectations of a 4% rise. It was the first increase in three months and the steepest since last June. Sales increased in 9 of 11 subsectors, led by higher sales at motor-vehicle and parts dealers (5%) and gasoline stations (12.3%). Meanwhile, sales decreased for food & beverages (-1.4%) and health & personal care (-0.8%). Core retail sales which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers rose for the first time in three months, increasing 3.8% on higher sales at general merchandise stores (6.1%) and at clothing and clothing accessories stores (23.7%). Preliminary figures for March suggest retail sales rose 2.3%.