Retail trade, February 2026
Released: 2026-04-24
$72.1 billion
February 2026
0.7% 
(monthly change)
$1.0 billion
February 2026
0.3%
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
February 2026
1.1%
(monthly change)
$2.0 billion
February 2026
2.3%
(monthly change)
$1.6 billion
February 2026
0.9%
(monthly change)
$16.1 billion
February 2026
1.7%
(monthly change)
$27.1 billion
February 2026
1.0%
(monthly change)
$2.4 billion
February 2026
2.2%
(monthly change)
$2.3 billion
February 2026
1.5%
(monthly change)
$9.2 billion
February 2026
-1.9% 
(monthly change)
$9.7 billion
February 2026
-0.4%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
February 2026
-1.3%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
February 2026
-6.2%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
February 2026
1.4%
(monthly change)
Retail sales increased 0.7% to $72.1 billion in February. Sales were up in seven 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 0.6% in February.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.3% in February.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in February
Sales up at motor vehicle and parts dealers
The largest increase in retail sales in February was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.0%), rising for a second consecutive month. The increase was led by higher sales at new car dealers (+0.7%), followed by used car dealers (+4.0%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors were unchanged in February, following three consecutive monthly gains. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors edged up 0.1% in February.
Core retail sales rise
Core retail sales rose 0.6% in February, posting their second consecutive increase. The gain was led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+1.2%) and food and beverage retailers (+0.9%). The increase in the food and beverage retailers subsector was led by higher receipts at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (+1.6%).
Higher sales were also recorded at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (+1.1%) in February.
The largest decrease in core retail sales came from building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, which fell 0.6% in February after increasing 1.3% in January.
Chart 2
Sales increase in seven of nine subsectors in February
Sales up in eight provinces
Retail sales increased in eight provinces in February. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (+1.0%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales rose 1.3%.
Retail sales were up 1.7% in Quebec in February. In the CMA of Montréal, retail sales rose 1.9%.
The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in February was observed in Alberta (-1.9%). 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 decreased 0.6% to $5.1 billion in February, accounting for 7.0% of total retail trade, compared with 7.1% in January.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.6% in March. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 62.7% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.5%.
Note to readers
With this release, unadjusted monthly retail sales and retail e-commerce sales data were revised back to January 2024, and seasonally adjusted back to January 2021. Factors influencing revisions include the late receipt of respondent information, the correction of information in the data provided, the replacement of estimated figures with actual values (once available), the 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 March 2026 will be released on May 22.
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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