Retail sales were relatively unchanged in November. Sales were down in six out of nine subsectors, led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-1.6%). Higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+2.0%) and gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.7%) largely offset declines in the remaining subsectors, reported Statistics Canada on Thursday.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 1.0% in November, said the federal agency, adding that in volume terms, retail sales fell 0.4% in November.
“Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 1.0% in November, said the federal agency, adding that in volume terms, retail sales fell 0.4% in November,” it said.
“Core retail sales decreased 1.0% in November, posting their largest decline in six months. The decrease was led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-1.6%), with supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (-1.5%) contributing the most to the decline. Lower receipts were also recorded at beer, wine, and liquor retailers (-2.9%), which fell for a second consecutive month.
“Sales were also down at general merchandise retailers (-1.0%) and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-2.1%) in November.”
StatsCan said the largest increase in retail sales in November was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+2.0%), with all four store types within this subsector posting gains. New car dealers (+2.4%) led the increase, with sales rising for the fourth time in five months. Automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+0.9%) and other motor vehicle dealers (+0.8%) were also up in November.
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.7% in November following six consecutive monthly declines. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 0.8%, added the report.
Statistics Canada said sales decreased in seven provinces in November. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Alberta (-1.1%), followed by New Brunswick (-2.0%).
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in November was observed in Ontario (+0.5%) on higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area of Toronto, retail sales were up 1.1% in the month, it added.
“Retail e-commerce sales in Canada: On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce declined 1.2% to $4.1 billion in November, accounting for 6.1% of total retail trade compared with 6.2% in October,” explained the report.
“Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.6% in December.”
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