Retail trade, April 2026
Released: 2026-06-19
$73.0 billion
April 2026
0.5% 
(monthly change)
$1.1 billion
April 2026
-0.3% 
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
April 2026
0.7%
(monthly change)
$2.0 billion
April 2026
0.7%
(monthly change)
$1.6 billion
April 2026
-0.5%
(monthly change)
$16.0 billion
April 2026
0.4%
(monthly change)
$27.7 billion
April 2026
0.5%
(monthly change)
$2.4 billion
April 2026
-1.8%
(monthly change)
$2.2 billion
April 2026
-1.1%
(monthly change)
$9.6 billion
April 2026
1.3%
(monthly change)
$9.8 billion
April 2026
1.0%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2026
1.9%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2026
0.4%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
April 2026
-0.2%
(monthly change)
Retail sales increased 0.5% to $73.0 billion in April. Sales were up in five of nine subsectors, led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendors.
Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were down 0.7% in April.
In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged in April.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in April
Sales up at gasoline stations and fuel vendors, as well as motor vehicle and parts dealers
The largest increase in retail sales in April was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+5.1%). In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 0.8% in April.
Following a decline of 0.1% in March, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 1.7% in April. The increase was led by sales at new car dealers (+1.8%), which posted a fourth consecutive monthly gain. Sales were also up at used car dealers (+5.1%) in April after recording a decline of 4.2% in March.
Core retail sales fall
Core retail sales fell 0.7% in April, posting their second consecutive monthly decline. The decrease was led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-2.0%) and general merchandise retailers (-1.7%).
In April, sales also declined at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (-1.5%), down for a second consecutive month.
The largest increase in core retail sales came from building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, which increased 3.3% in April after decreasing 4.5% in March.
Chart 2
Sales increase in five of nine subsectors in April
Sales up in six provinces
Retail sales increased in six provinces in April. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (+0.5%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area of Toronto, retail sales fell 1.0%.
In Alberta, retail sales were up 1.3% in April on higher sales at gasoline stations and fuel dealers.
The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in April was observed in Manitoba (-1.8%). 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 1.2% to $5.1 billion in April, accounting for 7.0% of total retail trade, compared with 7.1% in March.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 1.0% in May. 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 87.9%.
Note to readers
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 Seasonal adjustment: Concepts and interpretation, 2026.
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 an 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. The article "Advance indicators: Production, use and interpretation, 2026" provides nontechnical answers to questions related to the production, use and interpretation of advance indicators.
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 May 2026 will be released on July 23.
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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