Retail trade, June 2014
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Released: 2014-08-22
Retail sales rose for the sixth consecutive month, up 1.1% to $42.6 billion in June. Gains were reported in 8 of 11 subsectors, representing 71% of retail trade.
In the first six months of 2014, retail sales were up 4.7% compared with the same period in 2013.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.6% in June.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in June
Higher sales at general merchandise stores
The largest sales increase in dollar terms across all subsectors was a 3.9% gain at general merchandise stores. The growth in June came mainly from sales of lawn and garden products, which were sold later this spring as a result of colder and wetter weather in April and May. Both store types within the subsector, other general merchandise stores (+5.2%) and department stores (+2.1%), reported stronger sales.
Sales at food and beverage stores rose 1.3%. Supermarkets and other grocery store sales increased 1.3% following a decline in May. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 2.0%. The gain coincided with the early rounds of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the latter half of June.
Clothing and clothing accessories stores (+3.8%) registered a sales advance for the third consecutive month as higher sales were reported at clothing stores (+4.2%), shoe stores (+3.5%) and jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores (+1.2%).
Higher sales were reported at gasoline stations (+0.9%) for the eighth consecutive month, mainly reflecting higher prices at the pump.
Growth in sales continued at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+1.4%), in part because of a later start to spring.
Sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores were up 1.0%, a fifth consecutive increase.
Following strong advances in April and May, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers edged down 0.3% in June. Lower sales at new car dealers (-0.7%) and used car dealers (-1.6%) were partially offset by higher sales at other motor vehicle dealers (+5.0%) and, to a lesser extent, automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+1.5%). Other motor vehicle dealers include retailers of recreational vehicles, motorcycles and boats.
After increasing for five consecutive months, receipts at furniture and home furnishings stores declined 1.2%. Lower sales at furniture stores (-1.2%) was the main contributor to the decline.
Sales increase in nine provinces
Retail sales were up in nine provinces in June. Higher sales in Ontario and, to a lesser extent, Alberta and British Columbia accounted for most of the increase. Saskatchewan was the lone province to register a decline in June.
Sales in Ontario (+1.0%) rose for the fifth time in six months. Gains were registered across most store types.
A 1.7% advance in Alberta was largely attributable to higher sales at new car dealers and other general merchandise stores.
In British Columbia (+1.8%), sales rose for the fourth consecutive month in June. Higher sales were reported at beer, wine and liquor stores and other general merchandise stores.
Retail sales in Quebec (+0.8%) advanced on the strength of higher sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores and, to a lesser extent, new car dealers.
Nova Scotia (+2.0%), Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.9%), Prince Edward Island (+3.9%) and New Brunswick (+0.6%) posted higher retail sales.
In Saskatchewan (-0.9%), retail sales declined mainly as a result of lower sales at new car dealers.
It is possible to consult tables of unadjusted data by industry and by province and territory in the Tables by subject module of our website.
For information on related indicators, refer to the Latest statistics page on our website.
Note to readers
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted and in current dollars, unless otherwise noted. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.
Total retail sales expressed in volume are calculated by deflating current dollar values using consumer price indexes. The retail sales series in chained (2007) dollars is a chained Fisher volume index with 2007 as the reference year. For more information, see Calculation of Volume of Retail Trade Sales.
The June 2014 issue of Retail Trade (Catalogue number63-005-X) will soon be available.
Data on retail trade for July will be released on September 23.
Contact information
For more information, or to order data, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca).
For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Kimberley Evans (613-951-0502; kimberley.evans@statcan.gc.ca), Retail and Service Industries Division.
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