The Daily | Released: 2026-10-23 Select geography Retail sales — Canada $74.6 billion August 2026 1.2% (monthly change) Retail sales — N.L. $1.1 billion August 2026 -0 .6% (monthly change) Retail sales — P.E.I. $0.3 billion August 2026 -0 .6% (monthly change) Retail sales — N.S. $2.0 billion August 2026 0.6% (monthly change) Retail sales — N.B. $1.6 billion August 2026 -0 .6% (monthly change) Retail sales — Que. $16.2 billion August 2026 0.2% (monthly change) Retail sales — Ont. $28.5 billion August 2026 2.2% (monthly change) Retail sales — Man. $2.5 billion August 2026 1.6% (monthly change) Retail sales — Sask. $2.3 billion August 2026 1.1% (monthly change) Retail sales — Alta. $9.6 billion August 2026 -0 .1% (monthly change) Retail sales — B.C. $10.0 billion August 2026 2.1% (monthly change) Retail sales — Y.T. $0.1 billion August 2026 -0 .4% (monthly change) Retail sales — N.W.T. $0.1 billion August 2026 4.4% (monthly change) Retail sales — Nvt. $0.1 billion August 2026 -0 .4% (monthly change) Retail sales increased 1.2% to $74.6 billion in August. Sales were up in all nine subsectors, led by increases at motor vehicle and parts dealers. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were up 1.1% in August.
In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.2% in August. Chart 1 Retail sales increase in August Sales up at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations and fuel vendors The largest increase in retail sales in August was observed at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.2%). The increase was led by higher sales at new car dealers, up 1.5% in August after decreasing 1.4% in July.
In August, gains at automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers (+1.4%) were offset by lower sales at other motor vehicle dealers ( -1 .4%) and used car dealers ( -0 .5%). Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors increased 1.7% in August, up for the first time in three months. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors decreased 0.5%.
Core retail sales rise Core retail sales rose 1.1% in August, following a decrease of 0.7% in July. The increase in August was led by higher sales at the food and beverage retailers subsector (+1.1%), which posted its first increase in three months. All four store types within this subsector were up in August.
In August, higher sales were also recorded at general merchandise retailers (+1.0%) after a decline of 1.7% in July. Sales at health and personal care retailers were up 1.6% in August, rising for a 10th consecutive month. Chart 2 Sales increase in all subsectors in August Sales up in six provinces Retail sales increased in six provinces in August.
The largest provincial increase in dollar terms was observed in Ontario (+2.2%), led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers. In the census metropolitan area (CMA) of Toronto, retail sales increased 4.0%. In British Columbia, retail sales were up 2.1% in August, led by higher sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
In the CMA of Vancouver, sales were up 2.1%. The largest provincial decrease in retail sales in August was observed in Alberta ( -0 .1%). This decline was led by lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Retail e-commerce sales in Canada On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales increased 1.1% to $5.6 billion in August, accounting for 7.6% of total retail trade. Advance retail indicator Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales, which suggests that sales increased 0.7% in September. Owing to its early nature, this figure will be revised.
This unofficial estimate was calculated based on responses received from 58.5% of companies surveyed. The average final response rate for the survey over the previous 12 months was 86.8%. 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 Seasonal adjustment: Concepts and interpretation, 2026 . The percentage change for the advance estimate of retail sales is calculated using seasonally adjusted data and is expressed in current dollars.
The early indicator in this release is an 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. The article " Advance indicators: Production, use and interpretation, 2026 ," provides non-technical answers to questions related to the production, use and interpretation of advance indicators.
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 estimation: Concepts, interpretation, and calculation, 2026 .
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 September 2026 will be released on November 20.
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 ). Date modified: 2026-10-23
Source: Statistique Canada
