Retail trade, January 2024
Released: 2024-03-22
$67.0 billion
January 2024
-0.3%
(monthly change)
$1.0 billion
January 2024
0.5%
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
January 2024
2.6%
(monthly change)
$1.8 billion
January 2024
1.2%
(monthly change)
$1.5 billion
January 2024
2.2%
(monthly change)
$14.8 billion
January 2024
-1.0%
(monthly change)
$25.5 billion
January 2024
0.5%
(monthly change)
$2.3 billion
January 2024
0.8%
(monthly change)
$2.1 billion
January 2024
-1.1%
(monthly change)
$8.5 billion
January 2024
-0.6%
(monthly change)
$9.0 billion
January 2024
-2.2%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2024
-0.8%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2024
4.6%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2024
0.7%
(monthly change)
Retail sales decreased 0.3% to $67.0 billion in January. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%).
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 0.4% in January.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.2% in January.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall for the first time in five months
The largest decrease in retail sales in January was recorded by motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.4%), which recorded their first decline in five months. Lower sales at new car dealers (-3.0%) led the decrease. Gains at used car dealers (+4.5%) and automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+2.1%) were more than offset by lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-7.4%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.9%) were up in January. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 3.8%.
Core retail sales rise
Core retail sales increased 0.4% in January, posting its second consecutive monthly increase. The gain was led by higher sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+3.0%).
In January, higher sales were also recorded at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+2.2%).
The largest decrease in core retail sales in January came from food and beverage retailers (-0.9%). Sales were down in all four store types, led by lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (-0.8%).
Sales down in four provinces
Retail sales decreased in four provinces in January, led by lower sales in British Columbia (-2.2%) and Quebec (-1.0%).
In British Columbia (-2.2%), retail sales were down amid record low temperatures in parts of the province in January. The decrease was led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Vancouver, sales were down 1.6%.
Retail sales in Quebec fell 1.0% in January. In the CMA of Montréal, sales were down 0.5%.
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in January was observed in Ontario (+0.5%). The increase was led by higher sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 3.5% to $3.8 billion in January, accounting for 5.7% of total retail trade, compared with 5.5% in December.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.1% in February. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 58.5% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate to the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.1%.
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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.
Seasonally adjusted estimates for cannabis store retailers are presented in unadjusted form, as no seasonal pattern has been established by official statistics yet. Establishing such a pattern requires several months of observed data. In the interim, the seasonally adjusted estimates for cannabis store retailers will be identical to the unadjusted figures.
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 February will be released on April 24.
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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