Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey

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A price-driven rise in sales of automotive fuels, oils and additives was the main contributor to the 4.0% increase in retail sales in the third quarter from the third quarter of 2010. Excluding sales of this commodity group, retail sales rose 2.0%.

Sales increased in 7 of the 10 major commodity groups.

The 22.0% increase in sales of automotive fuels, oils and additives accounted for over half of the year-over-year gain in retail sales. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) reported a 23.0% rise in the price of gasoline between the third quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011.

Retail sales of motor vehicles, parts and services were up 3.9% in the third quarter. The 8.7% increase in the value of sales of new trucks (which includes light and heavy trucks, vans, minivans and sport-utility vehicles) accounted for most of the gain, while sales of new passenger cars rose 1.8%. Used automotive vehicle sales grew 2.7%.

Sales of food and beverages increased 1.8%. General merchandise stores accounted for most of the growth.

Clothing, footwear and accessories sales were up 2.2% in the third quarter compared with the same quarter in 2010. Sales of footwear (+6.5%) led the gain.

The largest year-over-year decline among all commodity groups occurred in the sales of sporting and leisure goods (-1.8%). The decrease largely reflects lower sales of pre-recorded CDs, DVDs and video and audio tapes. The growing popularity of digital entertainment media has led to some reduction in the shelf space retailers devote to these commodities.

Sales of health and personal care products declined 0.5% in the third quarter from the same quarter in 2010. Lower prescription drug sales (-0.9%) accounted for almost all of the decrease. The CPI for prescribed medicines fell 4.0% over the same period.

Note: The Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey collects national level retail sales by commodity, from a sub-sample of businesses in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. Quarterly data have not been adjusted for seasonality. All percentage changes are year over year.

Available on CANSIM: table 080-0022.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2008.

For more information, or to order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-877-421-3067; 613-951-3549; retailinfo@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jennifer Winters (613-951-3373), Distributive Trades Division.