Canada’s core retail sales turned negative in July 2026, signaling a loss of momentum in consumer spending after a solid performance in the prior month. Month-over-month, the core measure fell by 0.7% in July, down sharply from a 0.5% increase recorded in June 2026.
The data, updated on 24 September 2026, show that the strength seen in June has not carried through into the following month. On a month-over-month comparison basis, the July reading represents a clear deterioration, with core retail activity moving from moderate expansion to contraction. Since core retail sales strip out more volatile components, the decline will likely be watched closely by analysts and policymakers as a potential sign of softening underlying consumer demand in Canada.
