October’s headline numbers point to a consumer who is still spending—just not always in in ways we might expect. All Stores rose 2.4% YOY, while All Stores less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies climbed 5.1% YOY. For a month with the World Series in Canada, an event that typically concentrates spend into experiences, this is modest growth. October’s consumer demand likely shifted from at-home consumption to out-of-home occasions, diluting gains in several store-based categories while boosting hospitality.
The October results for Foodservices and Drinking Places are not yet released. We are cautiously optimistic that those figures will show the offset reflecting packed watch parties, licensed venues, and event-driven footfall. This will help to explain why traditional at-home categories underperformed. JCWG will publish a shorter, special edition of the Canadian NRB on Foodservices and Drinking Places in the first week of January to validate this thesis.
Retail Food and Beverage results hint at substitution into hospitality. Grocery Stores were up only 2.6% YOY, a soft print in an inflation-normalising environment. Meanwhile, Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores fell -5.1% YOY. Two dynamics likely explain this:
- Experience substitution: Consumers choosing bars and restaurants over stocking up for home viewing.
- The BC strike that disrupted alcohol distribution, suppressing October in-store sales.
Taken together, the data is consistent with a month where social, licensed consumption took share from retail channels. If Foodservices and Drinking Places post strong gains, it will affirm that October’s “modest” retail picture masked robust out-of-home spend.
For the first time in recent memory, Cannabis Retailers declined -1.0% YOY. This bears watching. Part of the weakness could rhyme with alcohol’s decline if a segment of consumers is embracing broader sobriety, not just trading between substances. Market structure matters, too: the initial post-legalisation rush produced dense store networks. In many trade areas, supply still exceeds sustainable demand, pressuring sales per store and accelerating rationalisation. The October downtick could be an early indication of a shakeout continuing into 2026.
Amid mixed discretionary categories, Clothing and Accessories Stores advanced 8.2% YOY, extending a strong 2025. We’re seeing positive reports across the fashion spectrum: Dynamite is up 31.6% YOY, Roots is up as well at 6.8% YOY, and many banners are citing both sales growth and healthy margins. Investment in store experience such as assortment curation, service, and visual presentation, appears to be paying off, supporting the view that Q3 strength is carrying into Q4 as shoppers seek fresh product and occasion-driven wardrobes.
As we approach the end of the year, JCWG is thinking about:
- Will Foodservices and Drinking Places show significant October growth, confirming the experience substitution thesis?
- What are the impacts of a later Black Friday on November cadence and December pull-forward?
- Which day will emerge as the busiest of the year—and will it be driven by in-store traffic or digital peaks?
- Is Cannabis’ October downtick a blip, or is full sobriety gaining traction across cohorts?
- How are YOU preparing your banners, categories, and stores for 2026’s demand shape?
Retail Sales by Product Category, Same Month Comparison
| Sales for the Month of October | Oct-25 | Oct-24 | YOY |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Stores | 72,453,802 | 70,730,575 | 2.44% |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | 20,505,278 | 20,383,383 | 0.60% |
| Gasoline Stations | 6,320,117 | 6,433,882 | -1.77% |
| All Stores Less Automotive | 45,628,407 | 43,913,310 | 3.91% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 13,252,345 | 13,054,942 | 1.51% |
| Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores* | 9,537,695 | 9,295,782 | 2.60% |
| Convenience Stores | 711,993 | 720,255 | -1.15% |
| Specialty Food Stores | 983,860 | 911,263 | 7.97% |
| Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores | 2,018,797 | 2,127,642 | -5.12% |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 6,176,325 | 5,939,257 | 3.99% |
| All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies | 26,199,737 | 24,919,111 | 5.14% |
| General Merchandise Stores | 9,812,903 | 9,348,167 | 4.97% |
| Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronic and Appliance Stores | 3,824,155 | 3,761,387 | 1.67% |
| Furniture Stores | 1,213,976 | 1,215,232 | -0.10% |
| Home Furnishings Stores | 806,850 | 736,771 | 9.51% |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | 1,803,329 | 1,809,384 | -0.33% |
| Clothing and Accessories Stores | 4,026,746 | 3,740,024 | 7.67% |
| Clothing Stores | 3,182,624 | 2,942,880 | 8.15% |
| Shoe Stores | 407,363 | 409,798 | -0.59% |
| Jewellery, Luggage and Leather Goods Stores | 436,758 | 387,347 | 12.76% |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores | 4,272,187 | 3,840,014 | 11.25% |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment | 4,263,747 | 4,229,519 | 0.81% |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers | 2,963,150 | 2,589,881 | 14.41% |
| Cannabis Retailers | 451,727 | 456,274 | -1.00% |
| Foodservices and Drinking Places |
Retail Sales by Store Category, Year to Date Comparison
| Year-to-Date Sales Ending October | Oct-25 | Oct-24 | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Stores | 691,382,850 | 660,513,382 | 4.67% |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | 195,918,062 | 183,553,480 | 6.74% |
| Gasoline Stations | 62,290,796 | 64,595,863 | -3.57% |
| All Stores Less Automotive | 433,173,992 | 412,364,039 | 5.05% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 130,652,737 | 127,248,553 | 2.68% |
| Supermarkets and Other Grocery Stores* | 93,500,031 | 90,513,860 | 3.30% |
| Convenience Stores | 6,928,799 | 7,229,377 | -4.16% |
| Specialty Food Stores | 9,373,767 | 8,762,472 | 6.98% |
| Beer, Wine and Liquor Stores | 20,850,142 | 20,742,846 | 0.52% |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 59,153,353 | 55,126,616 | 7.30% |
| All Stores Less Automotive, Food, and Pharmacies | 243,367,902 | 229,988,870 | 5.82% |
| General Merchandise Stores | 91,590,554 | 87,558,145 | 4.61% |
| Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronic and Appliance Stores | 36,048,974 | 34,417,486 | 4.74% |
| Furniture Stores | 11,911,662 | 11,433,488 | 4.18% |
| Home Furnishings Stores | 7,241,062 | 6,766,452 | 7.01% |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores | 16,896,250 | 16,217,547 | 4.18% |
| Clothing and Accessories Stores | 35,913,591 | 32,642,818 | 10.02% |
| Clothing Stores | 28,002,843 | 25,297,944 | 10.69% |
| Shoe Stores | 3,864,530 | 3,830,122 | 0.90% |
| Jewellery, Luggage and Leather Goods Stores | 4,046,215 | 3,514,753 | 15.12% |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book and Music Stores | 39,358,976 | 36,268,682 | 8.52% |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment | 40,455,807 | 39,101,736 | 3.46% |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers | 26,515,775 | 23,731,056 | 11.73% |
| Cannabis Retailers | 4,594,144 | 4,252,318 | 8.04% |
| Foodservices and Drinking Places |
Ecommerce Sales
| Oct-25 | Oct-24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce Sales, YTD | 39,933,311 | 37,803,651 | 5.63% |
| Ecommerce Sales, YOY | 4,101,766 | 4,251,816 | -3.53% |
Regional Sales, Year to Date Comparison
| Region | Year-to-Date, 2025 | Year-to-Date, 2024 | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | 85,000,432 | 79,388,838 | 7.07% |
| Vancouver | 42,834,106 | 39,607,961 | 8.15% |
| Alberta | 80,323,663 | 76,284,170 | 5.30% |
| Prairies* | 40,956,831 | 39,274,948 | 4.28% |
| Ontario | 229,704,750 | 219,233,785 | 4.78% |
| Toronto | 101,444,125 | 98,225,191 | 3.28% |
| Québec | 138,235,752 | 132,698,758 | 4.17% |
| Montréal | 68,293,918 | 65,902,241 | 3.63% |
| Atlantic Canada | 42,478,360 | 40,780,716 | 4.16% |
| Territories | 2,229,266 | 2,121,593 | 5.08% |
NATIONAL RETAIL BULLETIN
Stay up to date with JCWG’s monthly analysis on U. S. and Canadian retail sales.
