Retail sales in Canada are expected to have risen 0.7% month over month in September 2026, following a 1.2% increase in August, according to preliminary estimates. August’s figure was revised slightly lower from an initial estimate of a 1.3% gain.
In August, the strongest growth in retail sales was recorded at motor vehicle and parts dealers (+1.2%), driven primarily by new car dealers (+1.5%). Higher sales at automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers (+1.4%) were partly offset by declines at other motor vehicle dealers (-1.4%) and used car dealers (-0.5%).
Sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors rose 1.7% in August, the first increase in three months. However, in volume terms, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors slipped 0.5%.
Retail sales also advanced at food and beverage retailers (+1.1%), general merchandise retailers (+1.0%), and health and personal care retailers (+1.6%).
