Retail Commodity Survey, February 2024
Released: 2024-05-07
Retail sales reached $56.3 billion in February, an increase of 4.1% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 11 of the 18 commodity classes.
The advance estimates provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggest that unadjusted total retail sales in March decreased by 1.5%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
The largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of food and beverages, which rose 8.0% in February compared with the same month in 2023. Growth in this commodity class was driven by higher sales of fresh food (+7.9%).
Retail sales of motor vehicles (+7.9%) grew in February 2024. The largest gain within this commodity class stemmed from sales of new motor vehicles (+15.3%). Meanwhile, sales of used motor vehicles decreased 1.8%, while sales of motor vehicle parts, accessories and supplies increased 5.2%.
The largest decline in February was in sales of automotive and household fuels (-3.8%). With higher prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decline of 2.5% compared with the same month in 2023.
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Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Tables 20-10-0016 and 20-10-0017 have been archived. National monthly commodity estimates in NAPCS 2022 are now available in table 20-10-0080 starting with January 2023. National industry-based quarterly commodity estimates are available in table 20-10-0071 starting in the first quarter of 2023.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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