Retail trade, March 2026

Released: 2026-05-22

Retail sales increased 0.9% to $72.7 billion in March. Sales increased in four of nine subsectors, led by gasoline stations and fuel vendors.

Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were down 0.1% in March.

In volume terms, retail sales decreased 0.7% in March.

Retail sales were up 2.1% in the first quarter of 2026, marking a seventh consecutive quarterly increase. In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.2% in the first quarter.

Chart 1 
Retail sales increase in March

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

The largest increase in retail sales in March was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+12.4%). The increase in March coincided with higher gas prices related to the supply shock resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 1.9% in March.

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fell 0.5% in March, with lower sales at used car dealers (-4.0%) leading the decline. Sales at new car dealers edged down 0.1% in March after recording two consecutive monthly gains. Automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+2.2%) were the only store type within this subsector to post an increase.

Core retail sales edge down

Core retail sales edged down 0.1% in March after two consecutive monthly gains. The decrease was led by lower sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, which fell 2.9% in March following a 0.7% decrease in February.

In March, lower sales were also recorded at general merchandise retailers (-0.5%), which fell for the first time in three months.

The largest increase in core retail sales in March came from food and beverage retailers (+0.5%). The increase was led by a 0.8% increase in sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers).

Chart 2 
Sales increase in four of nine subsectors in March

Sales increase in nine provinces

Retail sales increased in nine provinces in March. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (+1.4%), led by higher sales at gasoline stations and fuel dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales rose 1.5%.

In March, retail sales were up 2.6% in Alberta, led by higher sales at gasoline stations and fuel dealers.

The sole provincial decrease in retail sales in March was observed in Quebec (-0.8%). In the CMA of Montréal, sales were down 2.0%.

Retail e-commerce sales in Canada

On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 1.5% to $5.1 billion in March, accounting for 7.1% of total retail trade, compared with 7.0% in February.

Advance retail indicator

Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.6% in April. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 52.1% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 88.3%.

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).