Retail sales decreased 0.4% to $69.3 billion in February. Sales were down in four of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers, according to a report released Friday by Statistics Canada.
Core sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 0.5% in February, said the federal agency, adding that in volume terms, sales decreased 0.4% in February.
“The largest decrease in retail sales in February was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.6%), with all four store types within this subsector posting declines. New car dealers (-3.0%) led the decrease, falling for a second consecutive month in February. Lower sales were also recorded at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-1.6%) in the month,” explained Statistics Canada.
“Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.3%) increased in February for a fifth consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.8%.”
The report said core sales increased 0.5% in February on higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+2.8%). Sales in this subsector were up on gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), which rose 3.7% in February after falling 3.2% in January. To a lesser extent, beer, wine and liquor retailers (+2.3%) also contributed to the increase in February.
“Higher sales were also recorded at general merchandise retailers, up 1.2% in February,” it said.
“The largest decrease to core retail sales in February came from furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-2.9%).”
StatsCan said retail sales decreased in seven provinces in February. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Quebec (-0.9%), marking its second consecutive monthly decline. In the Montréal census metropolitan area, sales were down 2.5%.
In British Columbia, retail sales decreased 0.6% in February, led by lower sales at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers. In the CMA of Vancouver, retail sales were down 0.9%.
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in February was observed in Manitoba (+1.8%). This increase was led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, added the report.
“On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce decreased 0.3% to $4.3 billion in February, accounting for 6.3% of total retail trade,” noted Statistics Canada.
“Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in March.”
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