Canada: Retail Trade October 2015

Retail sales edged up 0.1% in October to $43.4 billion. Sales were up in 7 of 11 subsectors, representing 59% of retail trade.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms declined 0.3%.

Clothing and footwear lead retail sales increase

Higher sales of clothing and footwear contributed to gains at clothing and clothing accessories stores (+1.9%), sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores (+4.9%), as well as general merchandise stores (+0.6%). Clothing and clothing accessories account for about one-seventh of sales at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores and one-tenth of sales at general merchandise stores.

Within the clothing and clothing accessories stores subsector, higher receipts were reported at all store types as sales at clothing stores (+1.8%), shoe stores (+3.6%) and jewellery, luggage and leather goods stores (+1.1%) increased in October.

The gain at sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores more than offset declines in August and September.

Following a 0.3% decrease in September, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.4%) rose for the eighth time in nine months. The increase in the subsector stemmed from higher sales at used car dealers (+3.3%), with gains registered across most provinces. Sales at new car dealers edged up 0.1% in October. Gains were also reported at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (+0.5%) as well as other motor vehicle dealers (+0.4%).

After decreasing in September, sales at furniture and home furnishings stores rose 0.5%. Sales at furniture stores were up 1.4%, while home furnishing stores reported a 1.1% decline.

Following two months of gains, receipts at food and beverage stores decreased 1.2% in October. Lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores (-0.8%) and beer, wine and liquor stores (-2.5%) contributed in equal measure to the decline. Lower sales were also reported at convenience stores (-2.7%).

Electronics and appliance stores (-2.1%) posted their fourth consecutive monthly sales decrease.

Sales at gasoline stations declined 0.4% in October, reaching their lowest level since January 2015.

Sales up in four provinces

Retail sales were up in four provinces in October. Higher sales in Ontario and, to a much lesser extent, Quebec more than offset lower sales in Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia.

Following declines in August and September, Ontario (+0.5%) reported the largest increase in dollar terms on the strength of higher sales at new car dealers and sporting goods, hobby, book and music stores.

Sales were up 0.2% in Quebec, as higher sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores more than offset lower sales at new car dealers.

In New Brunswick (+1.2%), retail sales rose for the eighth time in nine months.

Newfoundland and Labrador (+1.1%) reported the first increase in three months as a result of higher sales at new car dealers.

Receipts in Alberta (-0.8%) declined for the third month in a row, as lower sales were reported at food and beverage stores and clothing and clothing accessories stores.

Sales fell 1.3% in Nova Scotia, as lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers more than offset gains at building material, garden equipment and supplies dealers.

Following a peak in September, sales in British Columbia declined 0.3% in October. This was mainly the result of lower sales at beer, wine and liquor stores and clothing stores.

StatsCanada

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