Canada’s retail sector experienced a significant boost in April, with retail sales increasing by 1.1 percent to reach $65.9 billion. This growth was observed in eight out of nine sub-sectors, showcasing a positive trend in the industry. Furthermore, in terms of volume, retail sales rose by 0.3 percent during the same period.
Core retail sales, which exclude certain categories such as gasoline stations, fuel vendors, motor vehicle, and parts dealers, saw a substantial increase of 1.5 percent. This marks the fifth consecutive month of growth for this particular segment.
However, the furniture and home furnishings sector faced a notable decline in core retail sales, contributing to the overall decrease in this category.
The sales surge was evident across multiple provinces in Canada. Ontario witnessed the most significant provincial increase of 1.3 percent, followed by Quebec with a 0.9 percent rise. Conversely, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a decline of 1.1 percent, indicating a challenging period for retailers in the region.
In April, retail e-commerce sales experienced a seasonally-adjusted decline of 6.1 percent, amounting to $3.6 billion. This accounted for 5.5 percent of total retail trade, compared to 5.9 percent in March. While e-commerce faced a slight setback during this period, it still remains a significant component of the retail industry.
These statistics, provided by Statistics Canada, indicate both positive and negative trends in the Canadian retail market, reflecting the dynamic nature of consumer behavior and economic conditions.
