Retail sales reached $60.7 billion in April, an increase of 8.9% compared with the same month in 2021. Higher sales were reported in 15 of the 19 commodity classes.

The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales increased by 13.9% in May. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.

Fuel sales rise, while motor vehicle sales stall

The largest contributor to the increase in dollar terms is higher sales of automotive and household fuels (+56.0%). With continued elevated prices at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted their 14th consecutive annual increase, rising 56.1% compared with 2021.

Sales of motor vehicles fell 6.6% in April, the class’s second consecutive year-over-year decrease. Leading the decline were sales of new motor vehicles (-12.4%), with losses split evenly between lower receipts of new passenger automobiles (-35.6%) and new minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (-7.2%). Sales of used motor vehicles, which increased 2.3% compared with April 2021, partially offset the decline. Higher sales of used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+7.5%) served to offset the lower sales of used passenger automobiles (-7.3%).

Sales of consumer non-durables remain high

Receipts from sales of clothing (+66.9%) remained strong in April and exceeded levels seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales gains were recorded in every subclass, the largest of which were in women’s clothing (+60.1%) and men’s clothing (+85.4%). Sales of footwear continued to increase in April 2022, rising 63.8% compared with the same month in 2021.

Stronger sales were also seen in the home furniture, furnishings, housewares, appliances and electronics class (+14.8%), and the subclasses of indoor home furniture (+20.0%) and home furnishings (+34.3%) accounted for much of the gain.

Retail sales of food (+5.5%) showed growth in April, the class’s second consecutive year-over-year sales increase. The largest contributor to sales growth in this class was higher sales of cookies, confectionery and snack foods (+26.9%), spurred largely by the variable timing of the Easter holiday. Sales of fresh food were up 3.4%, with higher sales of baked goods (+10.7%) leading the gains for the subclass.

Source: Statistics Canada