Retail trade, March 2025

Released: 2025-05-23

Retail sales increased 0.8% to $69.8 billion in March. Sales were up in six 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 up 0.2% in March.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.9% in March.

Retail sales were up 1.2% in the first quarter of 2025, marking a fourth consecutive quarterly increase. In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.2% in the first quarter.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in March

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rise, while sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fall

The largest increase in retail sales in March was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+4.8%), up for the first time in three months. All four store types within this subsector posted gains, with higher sales at new car dealers (+5.2%) driving the increase.

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-6.5%) decreased in March after five consecutive monthly increases. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 2.6%. Gasoline prices fell 1.6% on an unadjusted year-over-year basis in March, stemming from lower crude oil prices amid concerns of slowing global oil demand and slowing economic growth related to the threat of tariffs.

Core retail sales rise

Core retail sales increased 0.2% in March, posting their second consecutive monthly increase. The gain was led by higher sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+2.6%), followed by clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (+2.6%).

Higher sales were also recorded at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers, which posted an increase of 2.1% in March.

The largest decrease to core retail sales in March came from general merchandise retailers (-2.7%).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in six of nine subsectors in March

Sales up in eight provinces

Retail sales increased in eight provinces in March. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Quebec (+1.6%). In the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), sales were up 3.1%.

In Ontario, retail sales increased 0.6% in March, led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the CMA of Toronto, retail sales were down 1.0%.

The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in March was observed in Manitoba (-1.6%). This decrease was led by lower sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce decreased 2.1% to $4.2 billion in March, accounting for 6.0% of total retail trade, compared with 6.2% in February.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.5% in April. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 60.2% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 91.0%.

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).