Retail trade, December 2025

Released: 2026-02-20

Retail sales decreased 0.4% to $70.0 billion in December. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors, 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 down 0.3% in December.

In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged in December.

Retail sales were up 0.1% in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a seventh consecutive quarterly increase. In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.3% in the fourth quarter.

In 2025, retail sales increased 4.0%, led by gains at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In volume terms, sales were up 2.3% in 2025.

Chart 1 
Retail sales decrease in December

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

The largest decrease in retail sales in December was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-1.6%), with all four store types within this subsector posting declines. New car dealers (-1.8%) led the decrease, falling for a second consecutive month. Lower sales were also recorded at used car dealers (-1.8%) in the month.

The largest increase in retail sales in December came from gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+2.8%), which were up for a second consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 4.5% in December.

Core retail sales fall

Following an increase of 1.5% in November, core retail sales fell 0.3% in December on lower sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (-4.0%). The decline in this subsector followed two consecutive monthly gains.

Lower sales were also recorded at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (-1.7%) in December. This decrease marks a second consecutive monthly decline for this subsector.

The largest increase to core retail sales in December came from sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+1.0%).

Chart 2 
Sales decrease in three of nine subsectors in December

Sales down in seven provinces

Retail sales decreased in seven provinces in December. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Alberta (-2.1%) on lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.

In Ontario, retail sales decreased 0.2% in December on lower receipts at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales were up 0.5% in the month.

The largest provincial increase in retail sales in December was observed in Quebec (+0.6%). In the CMA of Montréal, retail sales were down 0.8%.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 3.6% to $4.3 billion in December, accounting for 6.1% of total retail trade, compared with 5.8% in November.

Retail sales in 2025

Canadian retailers finished 2025 with $837.2 billion in sales, up 4.0% from 2024, and increases were observed in eight of the nine subsectors. Leading the gain in retail sales in 2025 were higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+4.7%), which were driven by gains at new car dealers (+3.7%). The sole decrease in retail sales in 2025 was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-2.7%), largely the result of lower gasoline prices in 2025 compared with 2024.

Core retail sales increased 4.7% in 2025, led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+4.6%) and health and personal care retailers (+6.7%). Sales were also up at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (+9.6%).

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.5% in January. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 59.8% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 87.7%.

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).