Retail sales in December were $42.1 billion, down 2.0% from November but an increase of 4.0% from December 2013. This was the largest monthly decline since April 2010. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 4.7% from December 2013.
Retail sales in volume terms were down 1.3% from November. Decreases in month-over-month sales were reported in 9 of 11 sectors representing 71% of retail trade. December 2014 sales over December 2013 were up in all provinces. British Columbia led the way with a 6.0% sales gain, followed by Ontario (+5.1%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+4.4%). Quebec recorded a 1.6% gain over December 2013.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in December were $2.4 billion, down 1.0% from November but an 11.3% gain from December 2013. This was the ninth straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the fourth monthly loss in the past five months.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales fall 1.0% from November but increase by 10.9% from December 2013. Gasoline station sales were down 7.4% from November. This was the sixth straight loss following nine consecutive monthly increases. Gasoline station sales fell by 11.0% from December 2013.
Sales at food and beverage stores were up .0% from November to December and grew by 3.1% from December 2013 to December 2014. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores decreased 0.1% from a month earlier but were up 1.8% from December 2013. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 6.3% in December 2014 over December 2013.
General merchandise stores sales decreased 2.0% from November but were 5.8% higher than in December 2013, standing at $5.4 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 fell 3.9% from November but were up 5.3% from December 2013. Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for approximately 25% of sales at general merchandise stores.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were down 1.0% from November at $1.3 billion but increased 11.5% from December 2013. Sales at electronics and appliance stores lost 9.2% from November to $1.2 billion. They were up 3.3% from December 2013. Sales at health and personal care stores gained 0.2% from November to $3.1 billion. They were up 2.6% from December 2013.