Retail Commodity Survey, November 2025
Released: 2026-02-06
Retail sales reached $72.3 billion in November, an increase of 1.8% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were recorded in 13 of the 18 commodity classes.
In November, the largest monthly increase in dollar terms came from sales of food and beverages, which rose 5.6% compared with the same month in 2024. Sales of packaged food dry goods (+11.0%) led the gains in this commodity class in November 2025, followed by sales of fresh meat and poultry (+11.8%) and cookies, confectionery and snack foods (+8.7%).
Retail sales of clothing grew 10.7% in November 2025. The largest gain within this commodity class was for sales of women's clothing (+13.5%), followed by sales of men's clothing (+7.8%). Sales of footwear rose 9.2% compared with November 2024.
The largest decline in dollar terms in November 2025 came from sales of motor vehicles (-7.3%). The decrease in this commodity class was driven by lower sales of new motor vehicles (-12.3%). Used motor vehicles posted higher sales in November, increasing 2.5% from the same month in 2024.
Retail sales of automotive and household fuels declined 1.3% in November. With lower prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a decrease of 3.2% compared with the same month one year earlier.
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in December increased by 1.9%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
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).
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