Retail sales reached $62.0 billion in September, an increase of 6.8% compared with the same month in 2021. Higher sales were reported in 16 of the 19 commodity classes. while automotive and household fuels (+21.2%) was the largest contributor to the increase in dollar terms.
The Monthly Retail Trade Survey advance estimate suggests that unadjusted total retail sales increased by 5.5% in October. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Discretionary products on the rise
Sales of hardware, tools, and renovation and lawn and garden products grew 8.0% in September. The majority of the gain came from higher sales of renovation materials and supplies (+8.0%), with lumber and other renovation materials and supplies (+9.2%) accounting for the bulk of the increase.
Sales of clothing (+11.8%) remained strong in September, posting their eighth consecutive monthly gain over sales levels from the same eight months in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Statistics Canada
