Canadian retail sales totaled C$74.3bn in June, marking a 0.6% increase from the previous month, according to data released by Statistics Canada. Seven of nine retail sub-sectors posted gains during the period. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors, and motor vehicle dealers, rose 1.2%, representing the second consecutive monthly increase in this measure.
E-commerce activity demonstrated particularly strong performance, with seasonally adjusted online sales climbing 9.9% to reach C$5.7bn. The digital channel’s share of total retail trade expanded to 7.7% in June from 7.1% in May. Among traditional retail categories, general merchandise retailers reported a 2.7% increase, while clothing, accessories, jewelry, and footwear retailers recorded a 3.1% gain.
Food and beverage retailers were the only core category to experience a decline, with sales falling 0.4%. Supermarket and grocery store sales dropped 0.6%, reversing a prior month’s increase. Motor vehicle and parts dealers extended their winning streak to three consecutive months with a 1.0% increase. Gasoline stations and fuel vendors registered the steepest decline at 4.1%, ending a four-month stretch of growth, though volume measures at these outlets showed a 4.2% rise.
Regional performance varied across Canada. Ontario posted the largest dollar gain at 1.6%, with the Toronto census metropolitan area rising 3.9%. Quebec increased 0.5% while Montréal grew 1.0%. Alberta recorded the only significant provincial decline of 1.3%, driven primarily by weakness at gasoline and fuel retailers. In volume terms, overall retail sales climbed 4.2% in June. For the second quarter, sales grew 2.2% while volumes rose 0.4%. Statistics Canada’s preliminary estimate indicated a potential 0.8% decline in retail sales for July.
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