Retail sales reached $64.6 billion in August, an increase of 8.7% compared with the same month in 2021. Higher sales were reported in 18 of the 19 commodity classes. The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales increased by 7.3% in September. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
In August, the largest contributor to the increase in retail sales in dollar terms was higher sales of automotive and household fuels (+29.7%). With continued elevated prices at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted their 18th consecutive annual increase in August, rising 29.6% from August 2021.
Food sales increased year over year for a fifth consecutive month in August with a gain of 10%. As Canadians continued to renovate and complete projects around the house, sales of hardware, tools, and renovation and lawn and garden products grew 9.7% in August.
Source: Statistics Canada
