Retail sales reached $66.8 billion in March, an increase of 5.2% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 15 of the 18 commodity classes, according to a report released Friday by Statistics Canada.
“In March, the largest gain in dollar terms came from motor vehicle sales, which posted a year-over-year increase of 12.8%. Growth in this commodity class was mainly driven by higher sales of new motor vehicles (+13.5%), as sales of new minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+15.8%) led the gains. Used motor vehicles posted higher sales in March, increasing by 11.6% from the same month in 2024,” said the federal agency.
“Retail sales of clothing grew 8.9% in March 2025. The largest gain within this commodity class was for sales of women’s clothing (+8.3%), followed by sales of men’s clothing (+11.0%). Sales of footwear rose 5.4% compared with March 2024, with non-athletic footwear sales (+6.9%) leading the gains.”
In March 2025, the largest decline in dollar terms came from sales of automotive and household fuels (-3.4%). With lower prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decrease of 3.6% compared with the same month one year earlier, added Statistics Canada.
“The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in April 2025 increased by 5.8%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised,” it said.
In another report released on Friday, Statistics Canada said employment rose in wholesale and retail trade (+43,000; +1.5%) in May, driven by gains in wholesale trade. The increase partially offsets monthly declines in March and April 2025 which totalled 55,000 (-1.8%).
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