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After a strong start to the year, retailers reported their first sales decrease in five months in February.
Retail sales fell 0.7% in February to an estimated $35.5 billion. None of the eight retail trade sectors showed higher sales in February, and two posted reductions of 1.0% or more. Despite the decline in February, and moderate sales in the middle of 2007, retail sales have generally been rising at a rapid clip since 2004.
Following four months of strong increases, sales in the automotive sector decreased 1.3% in February. After three consecutive monthly increases, dealers of used and recreational vehicles and auto parts saw their sales drop 2.8% in February, the most substantial decrease since June 2007. Sales by new car dealers were down 1.7%. According to the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey, the number of motor vehicles sold also decreased in February. Sales at gasoline stations remained essentially unchanged.
Excluding sales by dealers of new, used and recreational vehicles and auto parts, retail sales edged down 0.3% in February, the second decrease in seven months.
Sales in the clothing and accessories stores sector fell 1.0% in February. Following a period of strong growth that began in 2006, sales for this sector have been rising at a much slower pace since the middle of 2007.
Note to readersUnadjusted monthly estimates were revised as of January 2006, while seasonally adjusted estimates were revised as of January 2003. Factors influencing revisions include late receipt of respondent information, correction of information on data provided, the replacement of estimated figures with actual values (once available), the re-classification of companies within, into and out of the retail trade industry and updates to seasonal and trading day factors. Since seasonal factors are continually changing, revisions may be more significant for some months of the year. However, the annual sum of seasonally adjusted figures corresponds to the annual sum of unadjusted estimates. Estimates in constant prices were also revised to reflect the annual revision of the retail sales series in current dollars from 2003 onward. |
All other retail trade sectors posted less pronounced decreases in February, with the exception of food and beverage stores, whose sales remained unchanged from January.
Once price changes are taken into account, retail sales in constant dollars also declined 0.7% in February, indicating that there was a reduction in the volume of sales.
Weaker sales in half the provinces
Half of the provinces showed lower retail sales in February, with Ontario posting the most significant reduction (-1.6%). Monthly retail sales in Ontario have decreased only twice in the past six months. A series of winter storms and the new Family Day holiday may have affected Ontario retail sales in February.
British Columbia experienced a second straight monthly decrease in retail sales, falling 1.1% in February. This was the most substantial reduction since November 2006.
New Brunswick posted the only significant increase for any province in February, where retail sales rose 1.1%, a third gain in four months.
Aside from a 0.9% decrease in Prince Edward Island, sales remained essentially unchanged in the other provinces. In Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, sales levelled off following strong increases in January. Sales remained relatively stable for the second consecutive month in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Available on CANSIM: tables 080-0014 to 080-0017.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 2406 and 2408.
The February 2008 issue of Retail Trade (63-005-XWE, free) will be available shortly.
Data on retail trade for March will be released on May 22.
For more information, or to order data, contact Client Services (613-951-3549; toll-free 1-877-421-3067; retailinfo@statcan.gc.ca). For analytical information, or to enquire about concepts, methods or data quality, contact Claude Bilodeau (613-951-1816), Distributive Trades Division.
Table(s).
