Retail trade, January 2026
Released: 2026-03-20
$70.7 billion
January 2026
1.1% 
(monthly change)
$1.0 billion
January 2026
0.8%
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
January 2026
3.3%
(monthly change)
$1.9 billion
January 2026
1.8%
(monthly change)
$1.6 billion
January 2026
0.9%
(monthly change)
$15.8 billion
January 2026
0.6%
(monthly change)
$26.1 billion
January 2026
0.9%
(monthly change)
$2.4 billion
January 2026
0.1%
(monthly change)
$2.2 billion
January 2026
1.7%
(monthly change)
$9.4 billion
January 2026
3.5%
(monthly change)
$9.6 billion
January 2026
0.2%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2026
5.5%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2026
2.7%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2026
12.5%
(monthly change)
Retail sales increased 1.1% to $70.7 billion in January. Sales were up in six of nine subsectors, 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 0.9% in January.
In volume terms, retail sales were up 1.0% in January.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in January
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rise, while sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fall
Following a decline of 1.6% in December, motor vehicle and parts dealers (+2.0%) recorded the largest increase in retail sales in January. Higher sales at new car dealers (+2.5%) led the increase in the subsector, followed by other motor vehicle dealers (+5.6%). In January, the largest decrease in the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector came from used car dealers (-3.0%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-0.4%) were down in January following two consecutive monthly gains. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 0.4% in January.
Core retail sales rise
Core retail sales rose 0.9% in January after posting a decrease of 0.4% in December. The increase in January was led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+3.0%), marking a fourth consecutive monthly gain in this subsector.
Sales at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+2.6%) also increased in January, posting a second consecutive monthly gain.
In January, the largest decrease in core retail sales came from food and beverage retailers (-0.6%). The decrease was led by lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), which fell 0.7% in January after increasing 0.1% in December.
Chart 2
Sales increase in six of nine subsectors in January
Sales up in all provinces
Retail sales increased in all provinces in January. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Alberta (+3.5%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
In Ontario, retail sales increased 0.9% in January on higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales were up 0.6% in the month.
In Quebec, retail sales were up 0.6% in January. In the CMA of Montréal, retail sales rose 1.7%.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 1.5% to $4.4 billion in January, accounting for 6.2% of total retail trade.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.9% in February. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 53.4% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 87.3%.
Note to readers
Next month's release will incorporate the annual revisions for the monthly retail trade program. Unadjusted monthly data will be revised back to January 2024, while seasonally adjusted data will be revised back to January 2021. Factors influencing revisions include the late receipt of respondent information, correction of information in the data provided, replacement of estimated figures with actual values (once available), reclassification of companies within, into, and out of the retail trade sector, and updates to seasonal factors.
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted and expressed in current dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Seasonally adjusted data are data that have been modified to eliminate the effect of seasonal and calendar influences to allow for more meaningful comparisons of economic conditions from period to period. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.
The percentage change for the advance estimate of retail sales is calculated using seasonally adjusted data and is expressed in current dollars.
The early indicator in this release is a special unofficial estimate being provided to offer Canadians timely information on the retail sector. The data sources and methodology used are the same as those outlined on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey information page.
Trend-cycle estimates are included in selected charts as a complement to the seasonally adjusted series. These data represent a smoothed version of the seasonally adjusted time series and provide information on longer-term movements, including changes in direction underlying the series. For information on trend-cycle data, see Trend-cycle estimates – Frequently asked questions.
Both seasonally adjusted data and trend-cycle estimates are subject to revision as additional observations become available. These revisions could be extensive and could even lead to a reversal of movement, especially for the reference months near the end of the series or during periods of economic disruption.
Some common e-commerce transactions, such as travel and accommodation bookings, ticket purchases and financial transactions, are not included in Canadian retail sales figures.
Total retail sales expressed in volume terms are calculated by deflating current-dollar values using consumer price indexes.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Next release
Data on retail trade for February 2026 will be released on April 24.
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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