Retail trade

Retail sales in current dollars rose 0.4% in May to $35.8 billion. This was the seventh increase in eight months. The advance was primarily attributable to increased sales at gasoline stations, largely owing to significantly higher gasoline prices (+8.8%) in May compared with April 2008. If the effects of price changes are removed, retail sales in constant dollars rose by only 0.1%.

Retail sales in current dollars were up in five of eight sectors in May. The strongest increases were observed in the automotive sector and in building and outdoor home supplies stores.

Sales in the automotive sector posted a strong 1.1% increase in May, the sixth rise in eight months. Although sales were up in all three components of this sector, the largest sales increase occurred at gasoline stations (+2.4%).

Sales in the building and outdoor home supplies stores sector rose 0.7%, the second increase in eight months. After growing steadily since early 2005, sales in this sector have remained relatively stable since mid-2007.

Among the three sectors where sales did not increase, the most pronounced drop occurred in clothing and accessories stores (-0.7%). The decrease in this sector stemmed from weak sales in clothing stores (-1.1%), while sales at shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores rose 0.9% following five consecutive monthly declines.

Sales up in most provinces

Sales in current dollars increased in eight provinces in May. The most substantial rise (+1.8%) was posted in Saskatchewan. This was the only Prairie province in which higher sales offset the losses incurred in April.

Sales in Ontario rose for the third straight month, completely cancelling out the drop in February. After a period of lower sales in mid-2007, retail sales in Ontario are showing an upward trend.

Retail sales fell 1.2% in Newfoundland and Labrador, the third decline since the peak in January 2008. The May decline can partly be accounted for by weak sales at new car dealers.

For information on related indicators, consult the Latest statistics page of 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 May 2008 issue of Retail Trade (63-005-XWE, free) will be available soon.

Data on retail trade for June will be released on August 20.

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 the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Claude Bilodeau (613-951-1816), Distributive Trades Division.

Table(s).