Retail sales in September were $43.3 billion, down 0.5% from August but an increase of 1.2% from September 2014. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 2.9% from September 2014.
Retail sales in volume terms were up 0.1% from August. Increases in month-over-month sales were reported in 8 of 11 sectors representing 60% of retail trade. September 2015 sales over September 2014 were up in seven provinces. British Columbia led the way with a 6.0% sales gain, followed by Prince Edward Island (+3.6%) and Ontario (+3.4%). The three losses were recorded in Alberta (-5.6%), followed by Saskatchewan (-3.7%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.4%). Quebec’s retail sales were up 0.2% from September 2014.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in September were $2.5 billion, up 0.54 from August and a 5.2% gain from September 2014. This was the 18th straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the first monthly gain after three consecutive monthly losses.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales fall 0.5% from August but increase by 4.7% from September 2014. Gasoline station sales were down 3.7% from August. This was the third straight monthly loss after six consecutive monthly gains. Gasoline station sales fell by 14.6% from September 2014.
Sales at food and beverage stores were up 0.1% from August to September and grew by 1.5% from September 2014 to September 2015. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores increased 0.2% from a month earlier but were down 0.2% from September 2014. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 6.2% in September 2015 over September 2014.
General merchandise stores sales increased 1.2% from August and were 2.7% higher than in September 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 down 1.2% from August at $1.4 billion but increased 5.2% from September 2014. Sales at electronics and appliance stores decreased 0.1% from August to $1.2 billion. They were down 1.5% from September 2014. Sales at health and personal care stores lost 0.1% from August to $3.2 billion. They were up 4.5% from September 2014.