Retail sales in Canada fell 0.8% to $66.1bn in May, led by declines in most subsectors
Statistics Canada released data showing that retail sales in Canada dropped by 0.8 percent to $66.1bn in May, with declines in eight of nine subsectors, particularly at food and beverage retailers.
Core retail sales, excluding gasoline stations, fuel vendors, and motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell by 1.4 percent in May. In volume terms, overall retail sales decreased by 0.7 percent.
Food and beverage retailers experienced the most significant drop, with sales down by 1.9 percent.
Supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience stores) saw a 2.1 percent decrease, while beer, wine, and liquor retailers experienced a 3.3 percent decline.
Sales fell by 2.7 percent at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers and by 1 percent at general merchandise retailers.
Motor vehicle and parts dealers were the only subsector to see an increase, with sales rising by 0.8 percent, marking the third increase in four months. New car dealers' sales grew by 1.6 percent and used car dealers saw a 1.8 percent rise.
However, other motor vehicle dealers and automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers experienced declines of 5 percent and 3.4 percent, respectively.
Gasoline stations and fuel vendors recorded a 0.6 percent decrease in sales, though sales volumes increased by 1 percent.
Retail sales decreased in nine provinces, with Alberta experiencing the largest drop at 2.5 percent, driven by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
British Columbia's sales fell by 1.3 percent, primarily due to declines at food and beverage retailers, and Vancouver's metropolitan area saw a 1.2 percent decrease. Nova Scotia was the only province to report an increase, with sales rising by 0.6 percent due to higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Seasonally adjusted retail e-commerce sales decreased by 3.6 percent to $3.9bn in May, accounting for 5.9 percent of total retail trade, down from 6.1 percent in April.
Statistics Canada's advance estimate indicates a 0.3 percent decrease in retail sales for June, based on early responses from 50.3 percent of surveyed companies. This figure will be revised, with the average final response rate for the past 12 months being 90 percent.
