Canada Retail Sales Rebound in August

Retail sales in Canada are estimated to have fallen 0.5% month over month in December 2025, which, if confirmed, would mark the sharpest monthly decline in three months, according to advance estimates. In November however, retail sales rose 1.3%, rebounding strongly after declines in the prior two months, with gains recorded in eight of nine subsectors. Sales were led by food and beverage retailers (+3.0%), notably beer, wine and liquor retailers (+14.3%) as labour disruptions in British Columbia that had weighed on sales in October eased. Sales also increased at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewellery, luggage and leather goods retailers (+2.4%) and health and personal care retailers (+1.6%). Sales also rose at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+2.0%). On the other hand, sales edged down at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book and miscellaneous retailers (-0.2%). Year on year, retail sales rose 3.1% in November.

Retail sales in Canada jumped 1.2% month-over-month in November 2025, the biggest gain in five month, rebounding from a 0.2% fall in October, preliminary estimates showed. In October however, sales were down in four of nine subsectors, led by decreases at food and beverage retailers (-2.0%), namely beer, wine and liquor retailers (-10.6%), coinciding with labour disruptions in British Columbia. Sales were also down at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-0.7%) and health and personal care retailers (-0.3%). Sales also fell at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (-0.8%). On the other hand, sales rose at furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (+1.1%) and motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.6%). Year-on-year, retail sales rose 2% in October.

Retail sales in Canada were set to have remain unchanged from the previous month in October of 2025, according to a preliminary estimate. This would maintain the 0.7% decline in September, which was in line with the preliminary estimate, and reversing the 1% increase in August as uncertainty surrounding trade with the US and the rate outlook for the BoC impacted consumer's purchasing patterns. Retail turnover was sharply down for motor vehicles and parts dealers (-2.9%), largely focused around new car dealerships (-3.6%). In the meantime, turnover also fell for building material and garden equipment dealers (-2%) and merchandise retailers (-0.5%). Conversely, sales were higher in food and beverage retailers (0.8%) and gasoline stations (1.9%), which recorded a higher turnover despite the drop in volumes (-1%). From the previous year, retail turnover in Canada rose 3.4%.