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Retail Commodity Survey, August 2026

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Released: 2026-11-06

Retail sales reached $76.3 billion in August, an increase of 4.5% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 15 of the 18 commodity classes.

In August, the largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of automotive and household fuels (+25.1%). With higher prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted an increase of 24.5% in August compared with the same month one year earlier.

Higher sales of home health products (+12.8%) were reported in August. The increase in this commodity class was driven by sales of pharmaceuticals (+13.9%). The largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of prescription pharmaceuticals (+15.2%).

Retail sales of motor vehicles grew 3.5% in August. The largest gain within this commodity class was in sales of new motor vehicles (+7.4%). Used motor vehicles posted lower sales in August, decreasing 2.1% from the same month in 2025.

The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in September increased by 8.1%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.

Table 1
Sales by type of commodity, all retail stores - Seasonally unadjusted

  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.

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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