Retail sales in November were $43.0 billion, up 0.4% from October and an increase of 4.8% from November 2013. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 4.5% from November 2013.
Statistics Canada attributed the sales increase to unseasonably cold weather, the timing of new product releases as well as promotional events.
Retail sales in volume terms were up 0.8% from October. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 5 of 11 sectors representing 27% of retail trade. November 2014 sales over November 2013 were up in all provinces. British Colmbia led the way with a 7.0% sales gain, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador (+6.4%) and Ontario (+6.1%). Quebec recorded a 1.4% gain over November 2013.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in November were $2.4 billion, down 1.1% from October but a 3.9% gain from November 2013. This was the eighth straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the third monthly loss in the past four months.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales fall 0.3% from October but increase by 8.7% from November 2013. Gasoline station sales were down 0.8% from October. This was the fifth straight loss following nine consecutive monthly increases. Gasoline station sales also fell by 0.8% from November 2013.
Sales at food and beverage stores were down 0.5% from October to November but grew by 2.4% from November 2013 to November 2014. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores decreased 0.4% from a month earlier but were up 1.9% from November 2013. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 2.5% in November 2014 over November 2013.
General merchandise stores sales increased 2.0% from October and were 7.6% higher than in November 2013, 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. Department store sales grew 3.3% from October and were up 3.9% from November 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 1.5% from October at $1.4 billion and increased 5.6% from November 2013. Sales at electronics and appliance stores gained 4.6% from October to $1.4 billion. They were up 4.7% from November 2013. Sales at health and personal care stores lost 0.1% from October to $3.1 billion. They were up 3.8% from November 2013.