Canada Retail Sales Rise 1.2 Percent in August

Retail sales in Canada rose 1.2 percent month-over-month to CAD 74.6 billion in August. Statistics Canada reported that gains occurred across all nine retail subsectors, with furniture, electronics, and appliances leading the growth at 2.3 percent. Health and personal care sales increased by 1.6 percent, while motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 1.2 percent rise.

Inflation-adjusted retail volumes increased by 1.2 percent, indicating that the growth was driven by higher quantities of goods purchased rather than price hikes. Gasoline sales diverged from this trend, as value rose 1.7 percent while volumes declined 0.5 percent due to higher prices.

Regional performance varied, with Ontario and British Columbia recording gains of 2.2 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively. Alberta experienced a marginal decline of 0.1 percent. A preliminary advance estimate from the agency suggests a further 0.7 percent increase in September, based on responses from 58.5 percent of surveyed businesses.