Retail sales in November were $41.0 billion, an increase of 0.6% from October and up 3.1% from November 2012. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 2.5% from November 2012.
Retail sales in volume terms rose 0.8% from October. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 9 of 11 sectors representing 72% of retail trade. Total retail sales for the first 11 months of 2013 were $437.6 billion, up 2.6% over the same period last year. November 2013 sales over November 2012 were up in all provinces. Alberta led the way with a 6.8% sales gain, followed by British Columbia (+4.3%) and Saskatchewan (+3.3%). Ontario recorded a 2.5% gain over November 2012, while Quebec’s increase was 1.6% over the same period.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in November were $2.3 billion, down 1.5% from October but a 4.3% gain from November 2012. This was the sixth consecutive year-over-year increase for the industry. Total retail sales for the first 11 months of 2013 were $25.2 billion, up 1.4% over the same period last year. Sales had been relatively flat for the first half of 2013, but have strengthened since.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales increase 1.2% from October and grow by 5.3% from November 2012. Gasoline station sales were up 1.0% from October and increased by 0.9% from November 2012.
Sales at food and beverage stores were down 1.1% from October to November. This loss mainly reflected sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores, which were down 1.4% from a month earlier. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores were up 0.2% from November 2012. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 2.0% in November 2013 over November 2012.
General merchandise stores sales increased 0.8% from October and were 3.8%
higher than in November 2012, standing at $5.1 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 3.5% from
October and were up 4.3% from November 2012. Food and non-alcoholic beverages
account for approximately 25% of sales at general merchandise stores.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were up 1.8% from October at $1.3 billion and increased 0.6% from November 2012. Sales at electronics and appliance stores grew 6.4% from October to $1.3 billion. They were down 3.1% from November 2012. Sales at health and personal care stores gained 0.8% from October. They were up 5.3% from November 2012.