Retail trade, April 2025

Released: 2025-06-20

Retail sales increased 0.3% to $70.1 billion in April. 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 0.1% in April.

In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.5% in April.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in April

Impact of Canada–US trade tensions

Feedback from respondents for April highlighted the effects of trade tensions between Canada and the United States on Canadian retail businesses. According to answers to supplementary questions, 36% of retail businesses were impacted by the trade tensions in April. The most common impacts were price increases, change in demand for product and supply chain disruptions. Despite six of nine subsectors posting monthly gains in retail sales, all nine subsectors saw a negative impact on sales.

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

The largest increase in retail sales in April was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.9%), up for a second consecutive month. The increase was led by higher sales at new car dealers (+2.9%) and used car dealers (+2.1%). The largest decrease in the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector was in automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-4.7%).

Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-2.7%) decreased in April for a second consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.4%.

Core retail sales rise

Core retail sales edged up 0.1% in April, posting their third consecutive monthly increase. The gain was led by higher sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+1.0%) and furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (+0.8%).

Higher sales were also recorded at food and beverage retailers (+0.2%) in April. The increase in this subsector was led by gains at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (+0.4%).

The largest decrease to core retail sales in April came from clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-2.2%).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in six of nine subsectors in April

Sales up in five provinces

Retail sales increased in five provinces in April. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in British Columbia (+1.7%) on higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Vancouver, retail sales were up 2.1% in the month.

In Ontario, retail sales increased 0.2% in April, led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the CMA of Toronto, retail sales were up 2.7%.

The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in April was observed in New Brunswick (-3.1%). This decrease was led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 3.6% to $4.4 billion in April, accounting for 6.2% of total retail trade, compared with 6.0% in March.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales decreased 1.1% in May. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 53.8% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 90.8%.

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).