Retail trade

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Retail sales increased 1.3% to $37.3 billion in November, reflecting growth at most store types. This marks the sixth consecutive monthly rise in sales and was the largest increase since March 2010.

Sales in volume terms also rose 1.3% after being flat the previous month.

Gains were reported in 8 of 11 subsectors representing roughly 90% of total sales.

In dollar terms, the largest increase among all subsectors was a 2.7% rise in sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. This growth resulted mainly from a 3.6% increase at new car dealers, the seventh consecutive monthly increase for this industry. Recent strength in sales at new car dealers reflects higher sales of new trucks and used vehicles. Gains were also reported at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+8.3%), a fourth consecutive increase. Declines were reported at used car dealers (-1.3%) and other motor vehicle dealers (-9.8%).

Sales at food and beverage stores increased 0.8%, following declines in each of the two previous months. Gains were reported by all store types in this subsector. Higher sales at supermarkets and grocery stores (+0.7%) accounted for almost two-thirds of the increase.

Gasoline station sales rose 1.4%, mainly reflecting higher prices at the pump. This was the fifth consecutive monthly increase in sales at gasoline stations.

Clothing and clothing accessories stores registered a 2.4% sales increase in November, more than offsetting October's decline. Higher sales were reported at clothing stores (+2.7%), jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores (+2.5%) and shoe stores (+0.6%).

Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (+1.7%) rose for a third consecutive month.

The largest decline occurred at electronics and appliances stores where sales fell 2.2%, more than offsetting the gain reported in October. This was the first decline in sales since July 2010.

Furniture and home furnishing store sales edged down 0.3%. Home furnishing stores (-1.3%) were responsible for the decline. The decrease at home furnishing stores came after three consecutive monthly increases.

Sales up in nine provinces

Retail sales increased in nine provinces in November. The largest contributor to the national increase was Ontario (+1.2%), where sales rose for a fourth consecutive month.

The 2.2% sales increase in Alberta was a sixth consecutive monthly gain. Alberta registered the largest increase in the number of new motor vehicles sold in November, according to the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey.

Quebec retailers registered sales gains of 1.3%, a fifth month of uninterrupted growth.

Sales in British Columbia rose for the fourth month in a row, increasing 1.3%.

The largest gain in the Atlantic provinces was in New Brunswick, where sales rose 2.2%.

The only decline occurred in Nova Scotia, where sales fell 0.7% after three consecutive months of growth.

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 080-0020 and 080-0021.

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

The November 2010 issue of Retail Trade (63-005-X, free) will be available shortly.

Data on retail trade for December will be released on February 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 the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jake W. Purdy (613-951-0984), Distributive Trades Division.