Retail Commodity Survey, March 2026
Released: 2026-06-04
Retail sales reached $69.9 billion in March, an increase of 4.7% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 15 of the 18 commodity classes.
In March, the largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of automotive and household fuels (+16.8%). With higher prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted an increase of 14.3% compared with the same month one year earlier.
Higher sales of food and beverages (+5.2%) were reported in March. The increase in this commodity class was driven by sales of fresh food (+6.2%). The largest increases in dollar terms came from sales of fresh meat and poultry (+13.5%).
Retail sales of motor vehicles declined 0.2% in March. Sales of new motor vehicles declined 3.7%, led by lower sales of new minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (-4.6%). Used motor vehicles posted higher sales in March, increasing 5.8% from the same month the previous year.
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in April increased by 3.0%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
The upcoming release of the April 2026 monthly and first quarter of 2026 tables, scheduled for July 8, 2026, will incorporate the annual revisions for the Retail Commodity Survey, with data revised back to January 2024. Factors influencing revisions include the late receipt of respondent information, corrections to previously provided data, replacement of estimated figures with actual values (once available), reclassification of companies within, into, and out of the retail trade sector.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
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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