Retail sales increased 0.4% to $66.9 billion in September. Sales were up in six of nine subsectors and were led by increases at food and beverage retailers, reported Statistics Canada on Friday.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 1.4% in September.In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.8% in September. Retail sales were up 0.9% in the third quarter, while in volume terms, retail sales increased 1.3%, explained the federal agency.
Core retail sales increase on strength at food and beverage retailers
“Following a decrease of 0.5% in August, core retail sales were up 1.4% in September on higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+3.0%). The increase in this subsector was led by gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), up 3.3% in September following a decline of 1.9% in August. Higher receipts at beer, wine and liquor retailers (+4.4%), which were up for the first time in three months, also contributed to the increase at food and beverage retailers in September,” said StatsCan.
“Higher sales were also recorded at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+3.0%) in September. The sole decrease in core retail sales in September came from clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.8%).”
Sales down at gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers
The largest decrease in sales in September was recorded at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-2.3%), down for a fifth consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 3.2%, said the federal agency.
“Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-0.7%) were down in September. Lower sales at new car dealers (-0.7%) led the decrease, followed by used car dealers (-5.2%). Lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-2.0%) were offset by gains at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+4.2%),” it said.
Sales up in five provinces
The report said retail sales increased in five provinces in September. The largest provincial increase was observed in Alberta (+2.3%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
“In Quebec, retail sales increased 0.6% in September. In the census metropolitan area of Montréal, sales were up 0.3%. The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in September was observed in Ontario (-0.1%), led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the CMA of Toronto, sales were unchanged,” said Statistics Canada.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 3.3% to $4.1 billion in September, accounting for 6.2% of total retail trade, compared with 6.0% in August, added the report.
“Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in October. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 58.9% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.9%,” it said.
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