Core retail sales rise 1.4% as supermarkets lead the gains in September
Statistics Canada reported a 0.4 percent increase in retail sales to $66.9bn in September, with growth observed in six of nine subsectors.
The rise was primarily driven by food and beverage retailers. Core retail sales, excluding gasoline stations, fuel vendors, and motor vehicle and parts dealers, increased 1.4 percent during the same period.
In terms of volume, retail sales rose 0.8 percent in September. For the third quarter, retail sales grew by 0.9 percent, with a 1.3 percent increase in volume terms.
Core retail sales rebounded in September with a 1.4 percent rise, following a 0.5 percent decline in August.
Sales at food and beverage retailers surged 3.0 percent, led by a 3.3 percent increase at supermarkets and other grocery stores (excluding convenience retailers), which followed a 1.9 percent decline in August.
Beer, wine, and liquor retailers contributed to the growth, recording a 4.4 percent rise, their first increase in three months. Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers also grew by 3.0 percent in September.
The only decline in core retail sales was noted among clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewellery, luggage, and leather goods retailers, which saw a 0.8 percent drop.
Gasoline stations and fuel vendors experienced the largest decrease in retail sales, falling 2.3 percent in September. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline. However, in volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 3.2 percent.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers dropped 0.7 percent, led by declines at new car dealers (-0.7 percent) and used car dealers (-5.2 percent).
Other motor vehicle dealers recorded a 2.0 percent decrease, partially offset by a 4.2 percent rise in sales at automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers.
Retail sales increased in five provinces in September.
Alberta led the gains with a 2.3 percent rise, largely driven by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.Quebec recorded a 0.6 percent increase, while the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Montréal saw a 0.3 percent rise.
In contrast, Ontario experienced the largest provincial decrease, with retail sales down 0.1 percent, primarily due to lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Sales in the CMA of Toronto remained unchanged.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada rose 3.3 percent to $4.1bn in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, representing 6.2 percent of total retail trade, up from 6.0 percent in August.
Statistics Canada provided an advance estimate for October, suggesting a 0.7 percent increase in retail sales. This preliminary figure, based on responses from 58.9 percent of surveyed companies, is subject to revision. The average final response rate for the survey over the past year was 88.9 percent.
