Retail sales in June were $44.1 billion, down 0.1% from May but an increase of 2.7% from June 2015. Excluding sales by motor vehicle and parts dealers and by gasoline stations, retail sales were up by 3.0% from June 2015.
Retail sales in volume terms were down 0.3% from May. Decreases in month-over-month sales were reported in 7 of 11 sectors representing 54% of retail trade.
June 2016 sales over June 2015 were up in nine provinces. British Columbia experienced the largest annualized gain (+5.2%), followed by Manitoba (+4.7%) and Prince Edward Island (+4.50%). The year-over-year gain in Ontario was 3.3%. Quebec recorded a 3.5% annualized gain.
Sales in the building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers sector in June were $2.6 billion, down 1.9% from May but a 4.4% gain from June 2015. This was the 28th straight annualized increase for the industry. It was the third monthly loss in the past four months. The main product type sold in this sector is lumber and other building materials, accounting for about 40% of total sales.
The motor vehicle and parts dealers sector saw sales grow by 2.0% from May and increase by 6.0% from June 2015. Gasoline station sales were up 1.8% from May but fell by 6.4% from June 2015.
Sales at food and beverage stores were down 2.1% from May to June but grew by 1.4% from June 2015 to June 2016. Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores decreased by 0.9% from a month earlier but were up 0.6% from June 2015. Beer, wine and liquor store sales increased 4.4% in June 2016 over June 2015.
General merchandise stores sales decreased 1.5% from May but were 3.1% higher than in June 2015, standing at $5.6 billion. “General merchandise stores” include department stores, warehouse clubs, superstores and home and auto supplies stores and account for 12% of total retail sales. Food and non-alcoholic beverages account for approximately 25% of sales at general merchandise stores.
Sales at furniture and home furnishings stores were down 0.1% from May at $1.4 billion but increased 1.8% from June 2015. Sales at electronics and appliance stores increased 0.8% from May to $1.2 billion. They were down 1.5% from June 2015. Sales at health and personal care stores grew 0.1% from May to $3.4 billion. They were up 7.7% from June 2015.