Retail trade, December 2023

Released: 2024-02-22

Retail sales increased 0.9% to $67.3 billion in December. Sales were up in five of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.9%).

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 0.5% in December.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.8% in December.

Retail sales were up 1.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking a second consecutive quarterly increase. In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.3% in the fourth quarter.

In 2023, retail sales increased 2.2%, led by gains at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In volume terms, sales were up 2.3% in 2023.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in December

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rise

The largest increase in retail sales in December was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.9%), up for a fourth consecutive month. The gain in December was led by higher sales at new car dealers (+2.4%). The largest decline in this subsector came from automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-2.7%).

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.9%) were also up in December. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 2.1%.

Core retail sales rise on gains at general merchandise retailers

Core retail sales increased 0.5% in December, led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+2.8%) and food and beverage retailers (+1.5%). Sales at food and beverage retailers were up from higher sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (+1.8%) and, to a lesser extent, specialty food retailers (+3.1%).

The largest decrease to core retail sales in December came from furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-2.7%).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in five of nine subsectors in December

Sales up in eight provinces

Retail sales increased in eight provinces in December, led by higher sales in Ontario (+1.3%) and, to a lesser extent, British Columbia (+1.5%).

In Ontario (+1.3%), retail sales were up in December on the strength of higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales were up 0.6%.

Retail sales in British Columbia (+1.5%) rose in December, led by higher sales at food and beverage retailers. In the CMA of Vancouver, retail sales were up 1.5%.

The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in December was observed in Prince Edward Island (-3.3%). The decrease was led by lower sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were down 3.6% to $3.7 billion in December, accounting for 5.5% of total retail trade, compared with 5.8% in November.

Retail sales in 2023

Canadian retailers finished 2023 with $794.4 billion in sales, up 2.2% from 2022 with increases observed in five of nine subsectors. Leading the gain in retail sales in 2023 were higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+7.0%), which were driven by gains at new car dealers (+8.7%) and coincided with improved supply chains and inventories compared with 2022. The largest decrease to retail sales in 2023 was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-9.9%), largely the result of lower gasoline prices in 2023 compared with 2022. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations were up 9.7% in 2023.

Core retail sales increased 2.4% in 2023, led by higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+3.7%) and health and personal care retailers (+8.6%). Sales at food and beverage retailers were up from higher sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (+5.5%), which saw gains in eight months in 2023.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales decreased 0.4% in January 2024. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 52.7% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.3%.

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).