Retail trade, January 2025
Released: 2025-03-21
$69.4 billion
January 2025
-0.6% 
(monthly change)
$1.1 billion
January 2025
3.5% 
(monthly change)
$0.3 billion
January 2025
1.8%
(monthly change)
$1.9 billion
January 2025
2.1%
(monthly change)
$1.6 billion
January 2025
1.8%
(monthly change)
$15.4 billion
January 2025
-2.7%
(monthly change)
$25.7 billion
January 2025
-0.9%
(monthly change)
$2.4 billion
January 2025
-0.4%
(monthly change)
$2.3 billion
January 2025
2.7%
(monthly change)
$9.1 billion
January 2025
0.6%
(monthly change)
$9.4 billion
January 2025
0.5%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2025
4.9%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2025
2.5%
(monthly change)
$0.1 billion
January 2025
3.8%
(monthly change)
Retail sales decreased 0.6% to $69.4 billion in January. Sales were down in three of nine subsectors and were led by decreases at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—were down 0.2% in January.
In volume terms, retail sales decreased 1.1% in January.
Chart 1
Retail sales decrease in January
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers fall, while sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rise
The largest decrease in retail sales in January was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-2.6%). The decrease was led by lower sales at new car dealers (-3.2%) and automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (-2.8%). The largest increase in the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector came from used car dealers (+1.6%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors (+3.2%) increased in January for a fourth consecutive month. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 0.1%.
Core retail sales decline
Following an increase of 2.7% in December, core retail sales decreased 0.2% in January on lower sales at food and beverage retailers (-2.5%). Sales at food and beverage retailers were down mainly on lower sales at supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers), which fell 3.4% in January. To a lesser extent, beer, wine and liquor retailers (-2.0%) also contributed to the decline.
Lower sales were also recorded at sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers (-2.2%) in January.
The largest increase in core retail sales in January came from furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers (+3.0%).
Chart 2
Sales decrease in three of nine subsectors in January
Sales down in three provinces
Retail sales decreased in three provinces in January. The largest provincial decrease in dollar terms was observed in Quebec (-2.7%), following an increase of 3.8% in December. In the Montréal census metropolitan area (CMA), sales were down 1.0% in January.
In Ontario, retail sales decreased 0.9% in January, led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the CMA of Toronto, retail sales were down 1.7%.
The largest provincial increase in retail sales in January was observed in Saskatchewan (+2.7%). This increase was led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales decreased 0.9% to $4.2 billion in January, accounting for 6.1% of total retail trade.
Advance retail indicator
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales decreased 0.4% in February. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised. This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 61.9% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 87.9%.
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Note to readers
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted and expressed in current dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Seasonally adjusted data are data that have been modified to eliminate the effect of seasonal and calendar influences to allow for more meaningful comparisons of economic conditions from period to period. For more information on seasonal adjustment, see Seasonally adjusted data – Frequently asked questions.
The percentage change for the advance estimate of retail sales is calculated using seasonally adjusted data and is expressed in current dollars.
This early indicator is a special unofficial estimate being provided to offer Canadians timely information on the retail sector. The data sources and methodology used are the same as those outlined on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey information page.
Trend-cycle estimates are included in selected charts as a complement to the seasonally adjusted series. These data represent a smoothed version of the seasonally adjusted time series and provide information on longer-term movements, including changes in direction underlying the series. For information on trend-cycle data, see Trend-cycle estimates – Frequently asked questions.
Both seasonally adjusted data and trend-cycle estimates are subject to revision as additional observations become available. These revisions could be extensive and could even lead to a reversal of movement, especially for the reference months near the end of the series or during periods of economic disruption.
Some common e-commerce transactions, such as travel and accommodation bookings, ticket purchases and financial transactions, are not included in Canadian retail sales figures.
Total retail sales expressed in volume terms are calculated by deflating current-dollar values using consumer price indexes.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Next release
Data on retail trade for February 2025 will be released on April 25.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).
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