Retail trade, May 2017

Released: 2017-07-21

Retail sales increased for the third consecutive month, rising 0.6% to $48.9 billion in May. Sales were up in 5 of 11 subsectors, representing 56% of total retail trade.

Higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were the main contributor to the gain. Excluding sales in this subsector, retail sales were down 0.1% in May.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms rose 1.1%.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in May

Higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers

Following a decrease in April, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers increased 2.4% in May. Higher sales at new car dealers (+2.7%) accounted for most of the gain at the subsector level. Used car dealers (+4.7%) and automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+2.7%) also posted higher sales. Sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-4.2%) were down for the fourth time in five months.

Higher receipts were reported at food and beverage stores (+0.9%). The main contributors to the gain were supermarkets and other grocery stores (+0.9%) and beer, wine and liquor stores (+2.4%). Following a 3.5% increase in April, lower sales were reported at specialty food stores (-2.2%).

Sales at electronics and appliance stores (+1.2%) continued their upward trend in May, rising for a fifth consecutive month.

In the general merchandise stores subsector (-1.3%), sales were down for the first time in five months.

Sales at gasoline stations were affected by lower gasoline prices in May. Gasoline stations (-0.6%) posted their first sales decline in three months, despite a higher volume of gasoline sold.

Sales up in eight provinces

Retail sales were up in eight provinces in May.

British Columbia (+2.6%) reported the largest increase in dollar terms, led by higher sales at new car dealers and, to a lesser extent, building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers.

Sales in Alberta (+1.6%) rose for the ninth time in ten months.

Retail sales in Ontario edged up 0.2% in May, the seventh sales increase in nine months. Higher sales at new car dealers more than offset lower sales at general merchandise stores and health and personal care stores.

Following a 1.5% increase in April, sales in Quebec decreased 0.8% in May.

In New Brunswick (+1.2%), retail sales rose for the fifth consecutive month on higher sales at new car dealers.

E-commerce sales by Canadian retailers

The figures in this section are based on unadjusted (that is, not seasonally adjusted) estimates.

On an unadjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were $1.3 billion in May, accounting for 2.3% of total retail trade. On a year-over-year basis, retail e-commerce increased 46.9% while total unadjusted retail sales rose 10.3%.

In celebration of the country's 150th birthday, Statistics Canada is presenting snapshots from our rich statistical history.

The Canadian retail marketplace has changed and evolved over time to match the needs and preferences of consumers. Traditional five-and-dime and department stores have become a thing of the past. Long past are the days when there were 100 foot long lunch counters, tearooms and uniformed elevator operators. In 1934, 13% of total retail sales were purchased at a department store. As of 2014, that number had fallen to 5%.

Summary tables of unadjusted data by industry and by province and territory are now available.

For information on related indicators, refer to Latest statistics.

Contact information

For more information, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).

For analytical information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Jason Aston (613-951-0746; jason.aston@canada.ca), Retail and Service Industries Division.