OTTAWA
,
May 24, 2024
(press release)
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Retail sales decreased 0.2% to $66.4 billion in March. Sales were down in seven of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 0.6% in March. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.4% in March. Retail sales were down 0.2% in the first quarter, while in volume terms, retail sales increased 0.3%. Chart 1: Retail sales decrease in March Core retail sales decline Lower sales were reported at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-1.6%) and at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-1.6%). Receipts were also down at food and beverage retailers (-0.4%) and sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (-1.5%). Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+1.3%) was the only core retail subsector to report an increase in sales in March. Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rise Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-0.7%) were down in March. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 1.7%. Chart 2: Sales decrease in seven of nine subsectors in March Sales down in six provinces In Saskatchewan, retail sales decreased 3.4%, led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. The largest provincial increase in retail sales in March was observed in Quebec (+0.6%). In the CMA of Montréal, sales were up 0.3%. Retail e-commerce sales in Canada Advance retail indicator Note to readers Seasonally adjusted data are data that have been modified to eliminate the effect of seasonal and calendar influences to allow for more meaningful comparisons of economic conditions from period to period. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions. The percentage change for the advance estimate of retail sales is calculated using seasonally adjusted data and is expressed in current dollars. This early indicator is a special unofficial estimate being provided to offer Canadians timely information on the retail sector. The data sources and methodology used are the same as those outlined on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey information page. Trend-cycle estimates are included in selected charts as a complement to the seasonally adjusted series. These data represent a smoothed version of the seasonally adjusted time series and provide information on longer-term movements, including changes in direction underlying the series. For information on trend-cycle data, see Trend-cycle estimates – Frequently asked questions. Both seasonally adjusted data and trend-cycle estimates are subject to revision as additional observations become available. These revisions could be extensive and could even lead to a reversal of movement, especially for the reference months near the end of the series or during periods of economic disruption. Some common e-commerce transactions, such as travel and accommodation bookings, ticket purchases and financial transactions, are not included in Canadian retail sales figures. Total retail sales expressed in volume terms are calculated by deflating current-dollar values using consumer price indexes. Find more statistics on retail trade. Next release Contact information Industry Intelligence Editor's Note: This press release omits select charts and/or marketing language for editorial clarity. Click here to view the full report.
Core retail sales were down 0.6% in March. This was the first decrease for core retail sales in four months. The decline was broad-based with sales at all but one core retail subsector being down.
The largest increase in retail sales in March was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.0%), up for a second consecutive month. The gain was led by higher sales at new car dealers (+1.1%). The sole decline in this subsector came from used car dealers (-2.0%).
Retail sales decreased in six provinces in March. The largest provincial decrease was observed in Ontario (-0.3%), led by lower sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, sales were up 1.5%.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 3.0% to $4.0 billion in March, accounting for 6.0% of total retail trade, compared with 5.8% in February.
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in April. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 51.0% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 90.5%.
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted and expressed in current dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Data on retail trade for April will be released on June 21.
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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