Retail trade, August 2024

Released: 2024-10-25

Retail sales increased 0.4% to $66.6 billion in August. Sales were up in four of nine subsectors and were led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 0.4% in August.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.7% in August.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in August

Sales up at motor vehicle and parts dealers

The largest increase in retail sales in August was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+3.5%). Higher sales at new car dealers (+4.3%) led the increase, followed by used car dealers (+2.1%). Lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-0.3%) were offset by gains at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+0.4%).

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-2.7%) were down in August. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 2.1%.

Core retail sales decline

Following two consecutive monthly increases, core retail sales were down 0.4% in August on lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-1.5%). Sales at food and beverage retailers were down in all four store types, led by supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) (-1.9%).

Lower sales were also reported at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-1.4%) in August.

The largest increase in core retail sales in August came from sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+0.9%).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in four of nine subsectors in August

Sales up in seven provinces

Retail sales increased in seven provinces in August. The largest provincial increase was observed in Ontario (+0.9%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, sales were up 0.6%.

In Quebec, retail sales increased 1.0% in August. In the CMA of Montréal, sales were up 1.5%.

The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in August was observed in Alberta (-1.1%). The decrease was led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were down 2.5% to $3.9 billion in August, accounting for 5.9% of total retail trade, compared with 6.1% in July.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.4% in September. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 61.1% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 89.1%.

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).