Retail trade, April 2024
Released: 2024-06-21
$66.8 billion
April 2024
0.7% 
(monthly change)
$1.0 billion
April 2024
2.7%
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
April 2024
1.6%
(monthly change)
$1.8 billion
April 2024
-0.5% 
(monthly change)
$1.5 billion
April 2024
2.2%
(monthly change)
$14.9 billion
April 2024
0.4%
(monthly change)
$24.8 billion
April 2024
-1.0%
(monthly change)
$2.3 billion
April 2024
1.7%
(monthly change)
$2.2 billion
April 2024
8.5%
(monthly change)
$8.7 billion
April 2024
3.1%
(monthly change)
$9.0 billion
April 2024
1.3%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2024
1.4%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2024
2.7%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2024
4.2%
(monthly change)
Retail sales increased 0.7% to $66.8 billion in April. Sales were up in seven of nine subsectors and were led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendors as well as food and beverage retailers.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 1.4% in April.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.5% in April.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in April
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rise, while sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall
The largest increase in retail sales in April was recorded at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+4.5%), up for the first time in three months. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 1.7% in April.
The largest decline in retail sales in April was posted by motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.2%) on lower sales at new car dealers (-2.9%). Automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+1.6%) were the only store type within this subsector to record an increase in April.
Core retail sales increase on strength at food and beverage retailers
Following a decline of 0.7% in March, core retail sales increased 1.4% in April on higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+1.9%), which were led by gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (+1.6%). Higher receipts at beer, wine and liquor retailers (+5.5%), which were up for the first time in four months, also contributed to the increase at food and beverage retailers in April.
Higher sales in April were also reported at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous store retailers (+3.4%) and health and personal care retailers (+1.9%).
Chart 2
Sales increase in seven of nine subsectors in April
Sales up in eight provinces
Retail sales increased in eight provinces in April. The largest provincial increase was observed in Alberta (+3.1%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
The largest provincial decline in April was observed in Ontario (-1.0%) on lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Meanwhile, in the census metropolitan area of Toronto, sales were down 2.5%.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were down 0.1% to $4.0 billion in April, 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 decreased 0.6% in May. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 47.5% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 90.3%.
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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.
This early indicator 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 May will be released on July 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).
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