Retail trade, September 2024

Released: 2024-11-22

Retail sales increased 0.4% to $66.9 billion in September. Sales were up in six of nine subsectors and were led by increases at food and beverage retailers.

Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were up 1.4% in September.

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

Retail sales were up 0.9% in the third quarter, while in volume terms, retail sales increased 1.3%.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in September

Core retail sales increase on strength at food and beverage retailers

Following a decrease of 0.5% in August, core retail sales were up 1.4% in September on higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+3.0%). The increase in this subsector was led by gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), up 3.3% in September following a decline of 1.9% in August. Higher receipts at beer, wine and liquor retailers (+4.4%), which were up for the first time in three months, also contributed to the increase at food and beverage retailers in September.

Higher sales were also recorded at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+3.0%) in September.

The sole decrease in core retail sales in September came from clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.8%).

Sales down at gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers

The largest decrease in retail sales in September was recorded at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-2.3%), down for a fifth consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 3.2%.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-0.7%) were down in September. Lower sales at new car dealers (-0.7%) led the decrease, followed by used car dealers (-5.2%). Lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers (-2.0%) were offset by gains at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+4.2%).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in six of nine subsectors in September

Sales up in five provinces

Retail sales increased in five provinces in September. The largest provincial increase was observed in Alberta (+2.3%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

In Quebec, retail sales increased 0.6% in September. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Montréal, sales were up 0.3%.

The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in September was observed in Ontario (-0.1%), led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the CMA of Toronto, sales were unchanged.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were up 3.3% to $4.1 billion in September, accounting for 6.2% of total retail trade, compared with 6.0% in August.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in October. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 58.9% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.9%.

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).