In a notable turnaround, Canadian core retail sales surged by 1.7% in November 2025, a significant recovery following a decline of 0.6% in October 2025. This data, updated on January 23, 2026, marks a month-over-month comparative improvement and suggests a renewed strength in consumer spending as the year wrapped up.
The 2.3 percentage point swing between October and November highlights a positive shift in consumer sentiment and purchasing activity across Canada. This rebound could be indicative of seasonal spending trends, improved consumer confidence, or broader economic factors boosting retail dynamics just before the holiday season.
Analysts will be closely monitoring whether this upswing continues into the new year, potentially influencing broader economic forecasts and monetary policy decisions. The focus now turns to how sustained this retail momentum can be, keeping in mind that factors such as consumer confidence, employment trends, and inflation will play critical roles in shaping the trajectory of retail sales moving forward.
