Retail trade, January 2024

Released: 2024-03-22

Retail sales decreased 0.3% to $67.0 billion in January. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%).

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 0.4% in January.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.2% in January.

Chart 1 
Retail sales decrease in January

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall for the first time in five months

The largest decrease in retail sales in January was recorded by motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%), which recorded their first decline in five months. Lower sales at new car dealers (-3.0%) led the decrease. Gains at used car dealers (+4.5%) and automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+2.1%) were more than offset by lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-7.4%).

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.9%) were up in January. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 3.8%.

Core retail sales rise

Core retail sales increased 0.4% in January, posting its second consecutive monthly increase. The gain was led by higher sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+3.0%).

In January, higher sales were also recorded at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+2.2%).

The largest decrease in core retail sales in January came from food and beverage retailers (-0.9%). Sales were down in all four store types, led by lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (-0.8%).

Chart 2 
Sales decrease in three of nine subsectors in January

Sales down in four provinces

Retail sales decreased in four provinces in January, led by lower sales in British Columbia (-2.2%) and Quebec (-1.0%).

In British Columbia (-2.2%), retail sales were down amid record low temperatures in parts of the province in January. The decrease was led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Vancouver, sales were down 1.6%.

Retail sales in Quebec fell 1.0% in January. In the CMA of Montréal, sales were down 0.5%.

The largest provincial increase in retail sales in January was observed in Ontario (+0.5%). The increase was led by higher sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 3.5% to $3.8 billion in January, accounting for 5.7% of total retail trade, compared with 5.5% in December.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.1% in February. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 58.5% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate to the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.1%.

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).