Above average temperatures in most parts of the country, combined with the Chinese New Year, contributed to higher sales at food services and drinking places in February.
Sales (seasonally adjusted) at food services and drinking places rose 3.8% to $8.1 billion in February, recouping all of January’s losses.
Higher sales at full-service restaurants (+8.4% to $3.6 billion) accounted for most of the monthly gain, followed by special food services (+1.7% to $622 million) and drinking places (+2.7% to $216 million). Sales at limited-service eating places edged up 0.1% to $3.8 billion.
Sales were up in every province in February. In dollar terms, Ontario (+3.9%), Quebec (+3.2%), and British Columbia (+5.3%) reported the largest increases.
Prices for food purchased from restaurants were up 5.1% in February compared with February 2023, while prices for alcoholic beverages served in licensed establishments increased 4.3%.
Map 1: Sales at food services and drinking places
Monthly variations (seasonally adjusted) in dollars, provinces
Description - Map 1: Sales at food services and drinking places, Monthly variations (seasonally adjusted) in dollars, provinces
Sales at food services and drinking places
Monthly variations in dollars (seasonally adjusted), provinces
Newfoundland and Labrador
$91 million
+4.1%
Prince Edward Island
$37 million
+2.6%
Nova Scotia
$189 million
+1.8%
New Brunswick
$137 million
+3.7%
Quebec
$1.6 billion
+3.2%
Ontario
$3.2 billion
+3.9%
Manitoba
$229 million
+4.2%
Saskatchewan
$207 million
+3.2%
Alberta
$1.1 billion
+2.6%
British Columbia
$1.4 billion
+5.3%
Source(s): Table 21-10-0019-01.
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