Retail Commodity Survey, April 2024
Released: 2024-07-08
Retail sales reached $66.6 billion in April, an increase of 2.7% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in 11 of the 18 commodity classes.
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in May increased 1.3%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
The largest increase in dollar terms came from sales of motor vehicles, which rose 7.5% in April compared with the same month in 2023. New motor vehicle sales (+14.0%) led the gains in this commodity class in April 2024. Meanwhile, used motor vehicle sales (-1.3%) decreased slightly.
With the arrival of spring, sales of hardware, tools, and renovation and lawn and garden products increased 8.0% in April. The largest gain in dollar terms within this product class came from higher sales of lumber and other renovation materials and supplies (+8.8%), followed by live plants, seeds, and other home and garden supplies (+17.8%).
For the second consecutive month this year, retail sales of clothing (-5.9%) decreased year over year in April. Women's clothing (-5.1%) posted the largest decrease in dollar terms within the product class, followed by men's clothing (-6.0%).
With Easter shopping taking place in March this year, sales of food and beverages decreased in April, falling 0.9% compared with the same month one year earlier. A decrease in sales of alcoholic beverages (-5.5%) was the top contributor to the decline in dollar terms, followed closely by lower sales of cookies, confectionery and snack foods (-6.2%).
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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.
With this month's release, data for the monthly and quarterly tables were revised back to January 2023 and the first quarter of 2023, respectively. These revisions take into account late reporting and corrected respondent information.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System (NAPCS) 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.
Tables 20-10-0016 and 20-10-0017 have been archived. National monthly commodity estimates in NAPCS 2022 are now available in table 20-10-0080 starting with January 2023. National industry-based quarterly commodity estimates are available in table 20-10-0071 starting in the first quarter of 2023.
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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