Retail sales in February were $41.0 billion, an increase of 0.5% from January and up 3.7% from February 2013. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 2.4% from February 2013.
Retail sales in volume terms grew 0.1% from January. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 7 of 11 sectors representing 56% of retail trade. February 2014 sales over February 2013 were up in all provinces. Alberta led the way with an 8.3% sales gain, followed by New Brunswick (+6.5%) and Nova Scotia (+5.0%). Ontario recorded a 3.2% gain over February 2013, while Quebec’s increase over the same period was 2.1%.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in February were $2.2 billion, down 1.4% from January and a 0.9% loss from February 2013. This was the second annualized decrease in the past nine months for the industry. It was the fifth monthly decline in the past six months.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales unchanged from January and grow by 5.8% from February 2013. Gasoline station sales were down 0.3% from January. The was the first decrease in the past four months. Gasoline station sales increased by 6.7% from February 2013.
Sales at food and beverage stores were up 0.5% from January to February and grew by 0.8% from February 2013 to February 2014. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores increased 0.4% from a month earlier but were down 0.1% from February 2013. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 1.6% in February 2014 over February 2013.
General merchandise stores sales increased 1.4% from January and were 5.3%
higher than in February 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 1.4% from January and were up 2.2% from February 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 0.5% from January at $1.3 billion but decreased 1.6% from February 2013. Sales at electronics and appliance stores grew 1.3% from January to $1.2 billion. They were down 1.5% from February 2013. Sales at health and personal care stores grew 2.6% from January to $3.1 billion. They were up 10.5% from February 2013.