Retail Services Price Index (RSPI) 2008 to 2017
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Description: Retail Services Price Index (RSPI) 2008 to 2017
This infographic highlights the price change of retails services. Data for the line charts are available by accessing the source link at the bottom of this page.
Retail Services Price Index (RSPI) 2008 to 2017
Statistics Canada measures price changes across the value chain
A diagram is presented illustrating the value chain. The elements in the diagram from left to right are:
- Raw materials
- Industrial products
- Wholesale services
- Retail services
- Consumer prices
The evolution of margins in the Canadian retail trade sector
A line chart is displayed illustrating the evolution of the RSPI as an index series, from the first quarter of 2008 to the fourth quarter of 2017. The vertical axis represents the index values and the horizontal axis shows the time period.
The line shows a general progressive trend upward, starting at 100.0 in the first quarter of 2008, and ending at 120.3 in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The RSPI:
- Measures the movements in the price of retail services and is used to answer questions about inflation and productivity in the retail sector.
- Comprises over 50 index series, which are published quarterly, four months after the reference quarter.
- Can be used by businesses to measure their performance against industry trends.
The price of the retail service is defined as a margin, which is the difference between the selling price and the purchase price of products sold by retailers.
Trends in retail margins compared to overall RSPI
Food and beverage stores
- This line chart compares trends in Food and beverage stores' margins to the overall RSPI.
- Since 2016, margin growth has been limited due to increased competition.
Gasoline stations
- This line chart compares trends in Gasoline stations' margins to the overall RSPI.
- Crude oil prices, seasonal factors and competition contributed to retail margin volatility in this subsector.
Building material and garden equipment dealers
- This line chart highlights trends in Building material and garden equipment dealers' margins to the overall RSPI.
- This subsector posted the largest growth in margins (+44%) among all surveyed retail subsectors.
Total change in margins from 2008 to 2017 by retail subsectors
A chart is displayed showing the change margins by retail subsectors between the first quarter of 2008 and the fourth quarter of 2017. The vertical axis represents the percentage change and the horizontal axis lists retail subsectors. The categories are displayed from the highest to the lowest change in margins, ending with the overall RSPI.
All types of retailers, except Electronics and appliance stores, posted growth in margins. Building material and garden equipment dealers recorded the largest change.
| Subsectors | Percentage change |
|---|---|
| Building material and garden equipment dealers | 44 |
| Food and beverage stores | 27 |
| Gasoline stations | 25 |
| Miscellaneous store retailers | 22 |
| Health and personal care stores | 22 |
| General merchandise stores | 20 |
| Hobby and sporting goods stores | 6 |
| Clothing and clothing accessories stores | 5 |
| Furniture and home furnishings stores | 3 |
| Electronics and appliance stores | -21 |
| Overall RSPI | 20 |
Source: Statistics Canada, table 18-10-0252-01 (formerly CANSIM 332-0025)
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