Retail sales decreased 0.7% to $69.8 billion in September. Sales were down in six of nine subsectors, led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were relatively unchanged in September.
In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.8% in September.
Retail sales were up 0.2% in the third quarter. In volume terms, quarterly retail sales were down 0.3%.
Chart 1: Retail sales decrease in September
Description - Chart 1
Data table: Retail sales decrease in September
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.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall, while sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rise
The largest decrease in retail sales in September was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.9%), which fell for the first time in three months. Lower sales at new car dealers (-3.6%) led the decrease in this subsector after rising 1.8% in August.
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 1.9% in September, posting their first increase in three months. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 1.0%.
Core retail sales relatively unchanged in September
Following a gain of 1.1% in August, core retail sales were relatively unchanged in September. The largest decrease to core retail sales in September came from building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-2.0%), which fell for the third month in a row. Lower sales were also recorded at general merchandise retailers (-0.5%).
The largest increase to core retail sales in September came from food and beverage retailers (+0.8%). Higher receipts in this subsector were led by increases at beer, wine and liquor retailers (+3.4%), followed by supermarkets and other grocery retailers (+0.3%).
Chart 2: Sales decrease in six of nine subsectors in September
Description - Chart 2
Data table: Sales decrease in six of nine subsectors in September
Source: Table 20-10-0056-01.
Sales down in six provinces
Retail sales decreased in six provinces in September. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (-1.2%) on lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales were down 2.3% in the month.
In British Columbia, retail sales decreased 0.9% in September on lower sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers. In the CMA of Vancouver, retail sales were down 1.0%.
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in September was observed in Nova Scotia (+1.5%). This increase was led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales decreased 3.5% to $4.1 billion in September, accounting for 5.9% of total retail trade, compared with 6.1% in August.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales were relatively unchanged in October. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 54.2% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.8%.
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.
The early indicator in this release 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 October 2025 will be released on December 19.
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).