Retail trade, March 2012

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Retail sales rose 0.4% to $39.1 billion in March, more than offsetting the decline in February. Warmer than usual weather, especially in Ontario, contributed to the gains.

In volume terms, sales also rose 0.4%.

Chart description: Retail sales rise in March

CSV version of the chart

Gains were reported in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 56% of total retail sales.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose 1.2% in March. Higher receipts at new car dealers (+0.7%) and at other motor vehicle dealers (+7.7%) accounted for most of the gain. The advance in sales at the "other motor vehicle dealers" industry followed four consecutive monthly declines. This industry includes retailers of recreational vehicles, motorcycles and boats.

Warmer than usual weather in March advanced the purchase of spring merchandise such as clothing, footwear, bicycles and lawn and garden products.

General merchandise stores registered higher sales for a third month in a row, rising 1.1% in March. Department store sales increased 1.3%, more than offsetting a decline in February. Sales at other general merchandise stores (+0.8%) were up for a fifth straight month.

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers reported a 1.8% sales increase in March, a second consecutive monthly gain.

Clothing and clothing accessories store sales advanced 1.3%, up for a sixth month in a row. This gain mainly reflected higher sales at shoe stores (+7.2%).

Following three consecutive monthly declines, sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores rose 1.9%, reflecting higher receipts at sporting goods stores.

Sales at gasoline stations declined for a fourth time in five months, falling 1.6% in March.

Food and beverage store sales were relatively unchanged from February. Increased sales at beer, wine and liquor stores offset lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores, convenience stores and speciality food stores.

Sales gains concentrated in Ontario

Retail sales rose in four provinces in March. Most of the gain was concentrated in Ontario (+1.2%), where sales increased for a fourth time in five months. Excluding Ontario, total retail sales were flat.

Alberta registered a 0.3% increase, partially offsetting the decline in February.

Saskatchewan retailers reported a 0.7% sales gain in March, a sixth increase in eight months.

Following two consecutive monthly declines, sales in Newfoundland and Labrador rose 0.7%.

The largest decline occurred in New Brunswick (-1.5%) where sales fell for a fourth time in five months.

Sales in British Columbia (-0.2%) and Quebec (-0.1%) edged down after increasing in February.

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.