Retail sales in April were $41.6 billion, an increase of 1.1% from March and up 5.1% from April 2013. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 4.8% from April 2013.
Retail sales in volume terms grew by 0.8% from March. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 10 of 11 sectors representing 98% of retail trade. March 2014 sales over March 2013 were up in all provinces, except Prince Edward Island (-2.7%). British Columbia led the way with an 7.1% sales gain, followed by Alberta (+7.0%) and Saskatchewan (+6.4%). Ontario recorded a 4.7% gain over April 2013, while Quebec’s increase over the same period was 4.9%.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in April were $2.2 billion, up 0.3% from March but a 2.1% loss from April 2013. This was the third consecutive annualized decrease for the industry. It was the second monthly gain in the past eight months.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales climb 2.4% from March and grow by 6.2% from April 2013. Gasoline station sales were up 0.4% from March. This was the sixth consecutive monthly increase. Gasoline station sales grew by 13.9% from April 2013.
Sales at food and beverage stores were up 0.6% from March to April and grew by 2.6% from April 2013 to April 2014. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores increased 0.2% from a month earlier and were up 1.3% from March 2013. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 4.7% in April 2014 over April 2013.
General merchandise stores sales increased 0.9% from March and were 6.1% higher than in April 2013, standing at $5.2 billion. “General merchandise stores” include department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores and home and auto supplies stores and account for 12% of total retail sales. Department store sales grew 0.5% from March and were up 3.8% from April 2013. Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for approximately 25% of sales at general merchandise stores.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were up 1.0% from March at $1.3 billion and increased 0.8% from April 2013. Sales at electronics and appliance stores grew 1.2% from March to $1.2 billion. They were down 0.1% from April 2013. Sales at health and personal care stores gained 0.8% from March to $3.2 billion. They were up 9.0% from April 2013.