Retail trade, April 2017

Released: 2017-06-22

Retail sales rose 0.8% to $48.6 billion in April. Sales were up in 9 of 11 subsectors, representing 71% of total retail trade. Excluding sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales climbed 1.5%.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms were up 0.3%.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in April

Most subsectors report higher sales

The largest increase in dollar terms was a 2.1% increase at general merchandise stores.

Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+3.5%) increased for the eighth consecutive month. This subsector has been trending upward on the strength of higher sales of home appliances, hardware and tools. This was the largest percentage increase since May 2015.

Receipts at gasoline stations (+1.7%) were up for the seventh time in nine months. This gain reflected higher prices at the pump. According to the Consumer Price Index, on an unadjusted basis, the price of gasoline rose 9.5% in April.

After decreasing 3.3% in March, sales bounced back at clothing and clothing accessories stores (+3.1%) in April. Gains were reported in all store types, led by clothing stores (+2.1%).

Receipts at food and beverage stores rose 0.6% in April. Higher sales were reported at all store types within the subsector. Sales at beer, wine and liquor stores (+1.6%) and specialty food stores (+3.3%) were the main contributors to the increase.

Following a 2.3% rise in March, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers decreased 1.0% in April. The decrease stemmed from lower sales at new car dealers (-1.7%) and, to a much lesser extent, used car dealers (-1.7%). Sales at other motor vehicle dealers (+8.2%) rose for the first time in four months.

Retail sales up in seven provinces

Retail sales were up in seven provinces in April. Higher sales in Ontario and Quebec accounted for the majority of the increase.

Ontario (+1.1%) reported the largest growth in dollar terms, as gains were observed in 9 of 11 subsectors.

Following two months of declines, Quebec recorded a 1.6% increase on the strength of gains across most store types.

Alberta (+0.5%) reported higher sales in April, the eighth increase in nine months. The growth was largely attributable to higher sales at gasoline stations and other motor vehicle dealers.

In Manitoba, retail sales rose for the fifth time in six months (+1.9%).

After eight consecutive months of growth, sales in Saskatchewan registered a 4.1% decline, following an increase in the provincial sales tax at the end of March. Excluding lower sales at new car dealers, retail sales in Saskatchewan increased.

E-commerce sales by Canadian retailers

The figures in this section are based on unadjusted (that is, not seasonally adjusted) estimates.

Retail e-commerce sales were $1.2 billion in April, accounting for 2.5% of total retail trade. On a year-over-year basis, retail e-commerce increased 41.6%, while total unadjusted retail sales rose 4.7%.

In celebration of the country's 150th birthday, Statistics Canada is presenting snapshots from our rich statistical history.

Many of today's retailers are considered to be multi-channel, providing customers with the ability to purchase goods in a variety of ways: at a brick and mortar store, online through their desktop or mobile device, or by telephone. The Monthly Retail Trade Survey first published monthly E-commerce sales in 2016.

However the concept of non-store retailing is not new. Mail order catalogues can be thought of as a precursor to modern online shopping. Mail order catalogues first became available in Canada in the late 1800s. These catalogues offered a wide variety of products and allowed retailers to reach more rural customers.

Summary tables of unadjusted data by industry and by province and territory are now available.

For information on related indicators, refer to Latest statistics.

Contact information

For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).

For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jason Aston (613-951-0746; jason.aston@canada.ca), Retail and Service Industries Division.