Statistics Canada reports a 0.3% decline in June retail sales, with key sectors seeing mixed results
Statistics Canada reported a 0.3 percent drop in retail sales in June, bringing the total to $65.7bn.
The decline was mainly driven by a 2.1 percent decrease in sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, with new car dealers seeing a 2.9 percent drop, while used car dealers fell 0.6 percent. However, other motor vehicle dealers posted a 2.5 percent increase.
Core retail sales, excluding gasoline stations and motor vehicle dealers, rose by 0.4 percent, recovering from a 1.3 percent decline in May. This increase was driven by a 1.2 percent rise in sales at food and beverage retailers, particularly at supermarkets and grocery stores, which saw a 1.8 percent gain.
On the other hand, sporting goods, hobby, musical instruments, books, and miscellaneous retailers experienced a 0.8 percent decline.
In volume terms, overall retail sales in June edged up 0.1 percent. However, retail sales for the second quarter fell by 0.5 percent, with a 0.3 percent decline in volume.
Retail sales declined in seven provinces in June. Ontario experienced the most significant drop at 0.4 percent, largely due to lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Manitoba's sales fell 2.2 percent, while Newfoundland and Labrador saw the largest provincial increase, with a 0.2 percent rise led by gasoline station sales.
Gasoline stations and fuel vendors recorded a 0.5 percent decline in sales, although sales volume increased by 2.6 percent.
Retail e-commerce sales decreased by 2.4 percent in June to $3.8bn, accounting for 5.7 percent of total retail trade, down from 5.8 percent in May.
Statistics Canada provided an advance estimate for July, suggesting a 0.6 percent increase in retail sales. This estimate, based on early survey responses, is subject to revision.
