Retail trade

Retail sales rebounded in April with a 0.6% increase to an estimated $35.6 billion. This sales gain followed a pause in March that could largely be attributed to adverse weather conditions.

April marked the fifth monthly increase in retail sales in seven months. Although sales moderated in the middle of 2007, on the whole, retail sales have generally been rising at a rapid pace since 2004.

Retail sales increased in six of the eight sectors in April, with three advancing by more than 1.0%. Sales picked up at clothing and accessories (+2.8%) and general merchandise (+1.8%) stores, indicating consumers might have delayed some of their spring purchases from March to April. The third sector reporting strong growth in April was furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores.

A 1.9% increase in sales by the gasoline stations trade group also contributed to higher retail sales in April. According to the Consumer Price Index, the price of gasoline was 6.0% higher in April compared with March 2008. However, overall sales for the automotive sector were down slightly, the second decrease in seven months. Sales by both new car dealers and used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers were lower in April.

Excluding sales by new car dealers and by used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales rose 1.1% in April, the third increase of 1.0% or more in 11 months.

In terms of volume, retail sales in constant dollars were up 0.5% in April, the sixth increase in seven months.

Strong sales recovery in Quebec

Although six provinces posted lower retail sales in April, national sales were stimulated by the strong 3.4% increase in Quebec. Excluding Quebec retail sales, national sales would have fallen slightly in April. In March, retail sales in Quebec had been strongly affected by an exceptional level of snow accumulation.

Retail sales in New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador rebounded from lower sales in March, whereas retailers in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia lost ground after posting higher sales in March.

All of the western provinces posted lower retail sales in April, a downturn partly caused by weak new motor vehicle sales. Sales in Saskatchewan slipped for the first time since April 2007. The decrease in Alberta brought sales in that province to their lowest level since October 2007.

Retail sales increased for a second consecutive month in Ontario, and have almost completely offset the decline in February. Ontario sales have been on the upswing since reaching a low point in mid-2007.

For information on related indicators, consult the Latest statistics page on our website.

Available on CANSIM: tables 080-0014 to 080-0017.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey numbers, including related surveys, 2406 and 2408.

The April 2008 issue of Retail Trade (63-005-XWE, free) will be available shortly.

Data on retail trade for May will be released on July 22.

For more information, or to order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-877-421-3067; 613-951-3549; retailinfo@statcan.gc.ca). For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Claude Bilodeau (613-951-1816), Distributive Trades Division.

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