Retail sales in June were $43.2 billion, up 1.0% from May and an increase of 1.4% from June 2014. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 2.7% from June 2014.
In the first six months of 2015, retail sales were up 2.2% compared with same period in 2014. Excluding gasoline stations (-16.1%), retail sales were up 5.0% in the first half of 2015.
Retail sales in volume terms were flat in June. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 8 of 11 sectors representing 64% of retail trade. June 2015 sales over June 2014 were up in five provinces. British Columbia led the way with n 5.9% sales gain, followed by Ontario (+3.9%) and New Brunswick (+3.6%). The largest losses were recorded in Alberta (-3.7%), followed by Saskatchewan (-1.9%). Quebec reported a 1.0% decrease over June 2014.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in June were $2.6 billion, down 1.4% from May but a 6.1% gain from June 2014. This was the 15th straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the first monthly loss after six consecutive monthly gains.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales fall 0.1% from May but increase by 6.1% from June 2014. Gasoline station sales were up 2.6% from May. This was the third gain in the last 12 months. Gasoline station sales fell by 13.2% from June 2014.
Sales at food and beverage stores were unchanged from May to June and grew by 0.9% from June 2014 to June 2015. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores decreased 0.1% from a month earlier and were up 0.2% from June 2014. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 1.1% in June 2015 over June 2014.
General merchandise stores sales increased 0.3% from May and were 0.4% higher than in June 2014, standing at $5.5 billion. “General merchandise stores” include department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores and home and auto supplies stores and account for 12% of total retail sales. 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 May at $1.4 billion and increased 7.0% from June 2014. Sales at electronics and appliance stores increased 9.4% from May to $1.3 billion. They were up 6.2% from June 2014. Sales at health and personal care stores gained 0.5% from May to $3.2 billion. They were up 5.4% from June 2014.