Retail Sales in March Decrease by 0.2% to $66.4 Billion, According to Statistics Canada

According to Statistics Canada, retail sales declined by 0.2 percent to $66.4 billion in March, primarily due to lower sales at furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliances retailers.

However, the agency’s preliminary estimate for April indicates a 0.7 percent increase in retail sales for that month.

Statistics Canada reported that core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations, fuel vendors, and motor vehicle and parts dealers, decreased by 0.6 percent in March.

Out of nine subsectors, sales declined in seven, with furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliances retailers experiencing a 1.6 percent drop. Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores also fell by 1.6 percent.

Retail sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 1.0 percent increase in March, driven by a 1.1 percent rise at new car dealerships.

In terms of volume, overall retail sales dropped by 0.4 percent in March.

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