Retail sales increased 1.1% to $63.1 billion in June, the sixth consecutive increase. Sales were up in 8 of 11 subsectors, representing 76.8% of retail trade. Higher sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers led the increase. Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers—edged up 0.2%.
In volume terms, retail sales were up 0.2% in June. Retail sales were up 3.2% in the second quarter. In volume terms, quarterly sales were up 0.9%.
Given the continually evolving economic situation, Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales decreased 2.0% in July. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 36.5% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months has been 91.3%.
Core retail sales edge up on gains at general merchandise stores
Core retail sales edged up 0.2% in June. Higher sales were observed at general merchandise stores (+1.1%), which increased for a fourth consecutive month.
Higher sales were also observed at clothing and clothing accessories stores (+1.8%), which were led by gains in clothing stores (+2.1%) and jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores (+2.4%). Shoe stores (-0.7%) were the only store type in this subsector to decline.
The largest decline to core retail was observed at food and beverage stores, which decreased 1.1% in June, after increasing 1.7% in May. Lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores (-0.8%) and beer, wine and liquor stores (-2.9%) contributed to the decrease in this subsector in June.
Sales up in seven provinces
Retail sales increased in seven provinces in June. Leading the gain was Ontario (+1.7%) where motor vehicle and parts dealers contributed the most to the increase. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, sales were up 2.5%.
Sales increased 1.1% in British Columbia, led by higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers. Sales were up 1.1% in the CMA of Vancouver.
Higher sales were also observed in Saskatchewan (+3.7%) on the strength of higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 4.5% in June. On an unadjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were down 5.3% year over year to $3.8 billion in June, accounting for 5.4% of total retail trade. The share of e-commerce sales out of total retail sales fell 1.0 percentage points compared with June 2021.
Source: Statistics Canada
