Retail sales in October were $42.8 billion, unchanged from September and up 4.9% from October 2013. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 3.6% from October 2013.
Retail sales in volume terms were unchanged from September. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 6 of 11 sectors representing 42% of retail trade. October 2014 sales over October 2013 were up in all provinces. Alberta led the way with a 7.2% sales gain, followed by Ontario (+5.9%) and British Columbia (+5.5%). Quebec recorded a 2.1% gain over October 2013 .
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in October were $2.4 billion, up 2.0% from September and a 4.0% gain from October 2013. This was the seventh straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the first monthly gain after two straight monthly losses and the largest monthly increase of any of the Statistics Canada sectors covered in this report.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales fall 0.6% from September but increase by 9.8% from October 2013. Gasoline station sales were down 1.1% from September. This was the fourth straight loss following nine consecutive monthly increases. Gasoline station sales grew by 1.9% from October 2013.
Sales at food and beverage stores were up 0.5% from September to October and grew by 0.8% from October 2013 to October 2014. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores increased 1.0% from a month earlier and were up 0.1% from October 2013. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 2.4% in October 2014 over October 2013.
General merchandise stores sales decreased 0.4% from September but were 6.0% higher than in October 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 lost 0.7% from September but were up 3.5% from October 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 2.6% from September at $1.3 billion but increased 5.6% from October 2013. Sales at electronics and appliance stores gained 3.2% from September to $1.3 billion. They were up 8.5% from October 2013. Sales at health and personal care stores grew 0.3% from September to $3.1 billion. They were up 5.0% from October 2013.