Canadian retail sales were virtually unchanged in March from February as a slump in new car
sales offset healthy consumer spending, Statistics Canada said.
Total retail sales in Canada reached $60.1 billion in March, which was flat from the month
before, the statistics agency said. The latest result is worse than an initial estimate that
suggested March retail sales rose 1.4% from February.
The preliminary estimate for April indicates that Canada’s retail sales rose 0.8% for the month,
but the federal agency cautioned that the figure will be revised in the coming weeks.
For March, retail sales showed healthy growth outside of motor vehicle sales. Statistics Canada
said sales were up in 10 of the 11 subsectors it tracks, representing 75% of retail trade.
However, sales of motor vehicles and parts fell 6.4% in March as new car dealers saw a drop of
5.9%. However, sales at gasoline stations rose 7.4% in March due to rising fuel costs.
Core retail sales that exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle dealers increased 1.5% in
March. The increase was led by higher sales of building material and garden equipment and
supplies, which climbed 3.7%.
Clothing sales also continued to post strong gains in March with a 2.2% increase following the
exceptionally strong 15.5% increase seen in February of this year.
