Retail trade, May 2026
Released: 2026-07-23
$73.7 billion
May 2026
1.0% 
(monthly change)
$1.1 billion
May 2026
1.8%
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
May 2026
1.0%
(monthly change)
$2.0 billion
May 2026
-0.8% 
(monthly change)
$1.6 billion
May 2026
1.1%
(monthly change)
$16.1 billion
May 2026
0.7%
(monthly change)
$27.9 billion
May 2026
0.5%
(monthly change)
$2.5 billion
May 2026
2.2%
(monthly change)
$2.3 billion
May 2026
2.9%
(monthly change)
$9.7 billion
May 2026
1.4%
(monthly change)
$9.9 billion
May 2026
2.1%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
May 2026
1.9%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
May 2026
-4.2%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
May 2026
2.8%
(monthly change)
Retail sales increased 1.0% to $73.7 billion in May. Sales were up in all 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 up 0.9% in May.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 0.3% in May.
Chart 1
Retail sales increase in May
Sales up at gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers
The largest increase in retail sales in May was observed at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+3.1%). In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors fell 2.7% in May.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 0.7% in May, rising for a second consecutive month. All four store types within this subsector posted increases in May, with higher sales at new car dealers (+0.5%) leading the gain.
Core retail sales rise
Following a decrease of 0.7% in April, core retail sales rose 0.9% in May. The increase was led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+1.0%), which posted its first increase in three months.
In May, higher sales were recorded at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (+1.8%), also posting its first gain in three months.
Sales at food and beverage retailers were up 0.5% in May. The increase in this subsector was led by higher sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), which rose 1.0% in May.
Chart 2
Sales increase in all subsectors in May
Sales up in nine provinces
Retail sales increased in nine provinces in May. The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in British Columbia (+2.1%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Vancouver, retail sales increased 3.4%.
In Ontario, retail sales were up 0.5% in May on higher sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors. In the CMA of Toronto, sales were up 0.8%.
The only provincial decrease in retail sales in May was observed in Nova Scotia (-0.8%). 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 1.5% to $5.0 billion in May, accounting for 6.8% of total retail trade, compared with 7.0% in April.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.4% in June. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 55.1% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 87.6%.
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 estimation: Concepts, interpretation, and calculation, 2026.
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 June 2026 will be released on August 21.
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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