Retail sales decreased 0.2% to $69.4 billion in October. Sales were down in four of nine subsectors, 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 0.5% in October.
In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.6% in October.
Chart 1: Retail sales decrease in October
Description - Chart 1
Data table: Retail sales decrease in October
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 on lower sales at food and beverage retailers
Core retail sales decreased 0.5% in October, posting their second consecutive monthly decline. The largest decrease to core retail sales came from food and beverage retailers (-2.0%), with beer, wine and liquor retailers (-10.6%) contributing the most to the decline. The decrease in beer, wine and liquor retailers coincided with labour disruptions in British Columbia. In the food and beverage retailers subsector, lower receipts were also recorded at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (-0.7%).
Sales were also down at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.7%) and health and personal care retailers (-0.3%) in October.
The largest increase to core retail sales in October came from furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (+1.1%).
Sales up at motor vehicle and parts dealers
Following a decline of 2.9% in September, motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.6%) recorded the largest increase in retail sales in October. Higher sales at new car dealers (+0.5%) led the increase, followed by other motor vehicle dealers (+5.2%). The largest decrease in the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector in October came from automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-2.1%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-0.8%) were down in October after rising 0.5% in September. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 0.9% in October.
Chart 2: Sales decrease in four of nine subsectors in October
Description - Chart 2
Data table: Sales decrease in four of nine subsectors in October
Source: Table 20-10-0056-01.
Sales down in four provinces
Retail sales decreased in four provinces in October. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Quebec (-0.9%). In the census metropolitan area of Montréal, retail sales were down 0.9% in the month.
In Alberta, retail sales decreased 0.6% in October on lower receipts at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in October was observed in New Brunswick (+3.4%). 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 0.3% to $4.1 billion in October, accounting for 6.0% of total retail trade.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.2% in November. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 60.0% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.4%.
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 November 2025 will be released on January 23, 2026.
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).