Retail trade

Retail sales increased for the third consecutive month in March, rising 0.3% in current dollars to $33.9 billion. Higher sales at new car dealers was the main contributor to this increase. In volume terms, retail sales rose 0.7%.

The three consecutive months of gains in retail sales in current dollars have not completely offset the sharp declines reported in November and December. March's retail sales stood 6.3% lower than the peak reached in September 2008. Most of this decline reflects price changes. In volume terms, sales are down 2.6% from September 2008.

The main contributor to the rise in retail sales was a 3.6% increase in sales at new car dealers. This was lower than the 6.3% rise in the number of new motor vehicles sold reported by the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey, as dealers offered higher rebates. The automotive sector as a whole increased by 0.5%, as the rise in sales at new car dealers was partially offset by lower sales at gasoline stations (-2.8%) and used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.6%).

Sales at food and beverage stores rose for the third consecutive month, increasing 0.9%. This reflects in part higher food prices. Food and beverage stores and pharmacies and personal care stores are the only two sectors where March's sales level was above the October 2008 level.

Of the four sectors with a decline in sales, the largest was a 0.7% drop at miscellaneous retailers (which include, among others, sporting goods stores and office supply stores), followed by a 0.6% decrease in the building and outdoor home supplies stores. The decline in the building and outdoor home supplies sector was due to lower sales in the westernmost provinces. In addition to lower housing starts, unseasonably poor weather in Alberta may have been a contributing factor.

Sales in Quebec continue to lead in March

Sales increased in seven provinces in March, led by a third consecutive month of rising sales in Quebec (+2.0%) and Ontario (+0.6%). Since falling sharply in December, sales have been generally up or stable in all provinces except Alberta. Quebec is the only province that has essentially returned to its sales level of November 2008.

The largest sales decline in March was a 1.8% drop in Alberta, which followed a 1.5% decrease in February. The province had the lowest growth rate in the number of new motor vehicles sold among all provinces in March. Retail sales in the province were at their lowest level since March 2006.

It is possible to consult the tables of unadjusted data by industry and by province and territory from the Tables by subject module of our website.

For information on related indicators, refer to 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 March 2009 issue of Retail Trade (63-005-X, free) will be available shortly.

Data on retail trade for April will be released on June 19.

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 Serge Grenier (613-951-3566), Distributive Trades Division.