Retail trade, February 2025

Released: 2025-04-25

Retail sales decreased 0.4% to $69.3 billion in February. Sales were down in four of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

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

In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.4% in February.

Chart 1 
Retail sales decrease in February

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall

The largest decrease in retail sales in February was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.6%), with all four store types within this subsector posting declines. New car dealers (-3.0%) led the decrease, falling for a second consecutive month in February. Lower sales were also recorded at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-1.6%) in the month.

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+0.3%) increased in February for a fifth consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.8%.

Core retail sales rise

Core retail sales increased 0.5% in February on higher sales at food and beverage retailers (+2.8%). Sales in this subsector were up on gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), which rose 3.7% in February after falling 3.2% in January. To a lesser extent, beer, wine and liquor retailers (+2.3%) also contributed to the increase in February.

Higher sales were also recorded at general merchandise retailers, up 1.2% in February.

The largest decrease to core retail sales in February came from furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-2.9%).

Chart 2 
Sales decrease in four of nine subsectors in February

Sales down in seven provinces

Retail sales decreased in seven provinces in February. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Quebec (-0.9%), marking its second consecutive monthly decline. In the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), sales were down 2.5%.

In British Columbia, retail sales decreased 0.6% in February, led by lower sales at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers. In the CMA of Vancouver, retail sales were down 0.9%.

The largest provincial increase in retail sales in February was observed in Manitoba (+1.8%). This increase was led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce decreased 0.3% to $4.3 billion in February, accounting for 6.3% of total retail trade.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in March. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 67.1% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 91.2%.

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).