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Retail Commodity Survey, June 2022

Released: 2022-09-08

Retail sales reached $67.8 billion in June, an increase of 11.1% compared with the same month in 2021. Higher sales were reported in 15 of the 18 commodity classes.

The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales increased by 6.5% in July. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.

Fuel sales continue to drive retail spending

In June, the largest contributor to the increase in dollar terms came from higher sales of automotive and household fuels (+69.1%). With continued elevated prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted their 16th consecutive monthly year-over-year increase, rising by 69.5% compared with June 2021.

Sales of motor vehicles rose by 2.0% in June, the commodity class's second consecutive year-over-year increase. The largest contributor to the gain was sales of used motor vehicles (+7.8%), led by used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+14.6%). Sales of new motor vehicles fell by 2.5% from the same month in 2021, with lower sales of new passenger cars (-23.9%) being partially offset by higher sales of new minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+2.5%).

Sales of essential products continue to rise

Sales of food posted its fourth consecutive year-over-year increase, rising 7.2%, in June. Leading the gains were higher sales of packaged food dry goods (+9.7%) and frozen food (+15.7%). Sales of fresh food posted an increase of 4.8%, led by higher sales of eggs and dairy products (+8.0%) and baked goods (+11.2%).

Sales of home health products grew by 12.9%, with the majority of gains coming from sales of pharmaceuticals (+12.0%). Higher sales of eyewear (+23.6%) and home health products not elsewhere classified (+15.4%) were posted in June.

Sales of discretionary products are led by clothing

Sales of clothing (+22.4%) remained strong, posting their fourth consecutive monthly gain over sales levels from the same four months in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales increases were recorded in every subclass, the largest of which were in women's clothing (+19.8%) and men's clothing (+31.8%). Sales of footwear continued to increase in June 2022, rising by 16.0% from June 2021.


  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.

Starting with the May 2022 release of February data, estimates for the Monthly Retail Trade Survey are being calculated using a new sample. The sample is periodically refreshed to reflect the evolution of the target population since the last sample was drawn. The change is reflected on the Business Register through births, deaths and reclassifications to the survey population. The sample design has also been modified to be more efficient and to allow an increased use of administrative data sources.

Regular annual revisions for 2021 and 2020 and typical historical revisions were also included in the new data series.

The data have been revised using historical linkage factors designed to preserve the continuity of the time series. This linkage method leads to larger revisions for more recent periods.

New retail commodity data for e-commerce now available

Estimates from the Retail Commodity Survey are now available for the electronic shopping and mail-order houses industry (North American Industry Classification System [NAICS] code 454110).

E-commerce figures from brick-and-mortar retailers are included with the retailer's commodity sales. If the online operations of a brick-and-mortar retailer are separately managed, they are classified under NAICS code 45411 (electronic shopping and mail-order houses). Businesses commonly referred to as pure-play Internet retailers are also classified under NAICS code 45411. Total retail sales figures do not include sales from retailers classified under NAICS code 45411.

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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