Retail sales decreased 0.8% to $69.6 billion in July. Sales were down in eight of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at food and beverage retailers.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 1.2% in July.
In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.8% in July.
Chart 1: Retail sales decrease in July
Description - Chart 1
Data table: Retail sales decrease in July
Notes: The higher variability associated with the trend-cycle estimates is indicated with a dotted line on the chart for the current reference month and the previous three months. For more information, see the Note to readers.
Sources: Tables 20-10-0056-01 and 20-10-0067-01.
Core retail sales fall
Following an increase of 2.2% in June, core retail sales fell 1.2% in July on lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-1.3%). This subsector's decrease was led by lower receipts at supermarkets and other grocery retailers, which were down 2.5% in July following an increase of 2.6% in June. Beer, wine and liquor retailers (+3.2%) were the only store type within this subsector to post an increase in July.
Lower sales were also recorded at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-2.9%) in July. Clothing and clothing accessories retailers (-3.2%) led the decrease in this subsector.
Sales edge up at motor vehicle and parts dealers
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers edged up 0.2% in July. The increase was led by higher sales at other motor vehicle dealers (+5.0%) and to a lesser extent, new car dealers, which edged up 0.1% in July. Partially offsetting gains in this subsector were used car dealers (-0.9%) and automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers (-0.7%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 0.9% in July. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.2%.
Chart 2: Sales decrease in eight of nine subsectors in July
Description - Chart 2
Data table: Sales decrease in eight of nine subsectors in July
Source: Table 20-10-0056-01.
Sales down in five provinces
Retail sales decreased in five provinces in July. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (-1.6%) on lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales were down 1.6% in the month.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, retail sales decreased 8.8% in July, led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. This provincial decrease coincided with wildfire activity in the province.
Quebec recorded the largest provincial increase in retail trade in July, edging up 0.2% from the previous month. In the CMA of Montréal, retail sales were up 0.7%.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 2.2% to $4.3 billion in July, accounting for 6.1% of total retail trade, compared with 6.0% in June.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.0% in August. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 50.1% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 89.6%.
Table 1: Retail sales, by province, territory and census metropolitan area — Seasonally adjusted
Table 2: Retail sales, by industry — Seasonally adjusted
Table 3: Retail sales at 2017 constant prices, by industry — Seasonally adjusted
Note to readers
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted and expressed in current dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Seasonally adjusted data are data that have been modified to eliminate the effect of seasonal and calendar influences to allow for more meaningful comparisons of economic conditions from period to period. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.
The percentage change for the advance estimate of retail sales is calculated using seasonally adjusted data and is expressed in current dollars.
This early indicator is a special unofficial estimate being provided to offer Canadians timely information on the retail sector. The data sources and methodology used are the same as those outlined on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey information page.
Trend-cycle estimates are included in selected charts as a complement to the seasonally adjusted series. These data represent a smoothed version of the seasonally adjusted time series and provide information on longer-term movements, including changes in direction underlying the series. For information on trend-cycle data, see Trend-cycle estimates – Frequently asked questions.
Both seasonally adjusted data and trend-cycle estimates are subject to revision as additional observations become available. These revisions could be extensive and could even lead to a reversal of movement, especially for the reference months near the end of the series or during periods of economic disruption.
Some common e-commerce transactions, such as travel and accommodation bookings, ticket purchases and financial transactions, are not included in Canadian retail sales figures.
Total retail sales expressed in volume terms are calculated by deflating current-dollar values using consumer price indexes.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Next release
Data on retail trade for August 2025 will be released on October 23.
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).