Retail sales in Canada likely increased 1.3% month-over-month in August 2026, rebounding from a 0.7% fall in July, according to preliminary estimates. It would mark the strongest gain in retail sales since January. Meanwhile in July, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were down 0.8%, posting their first decline in four months, led by lower sales at new car dealers (-1.3%). Also, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors declined 0.9%, sales at general merchandise dropped 1.9% and lower sales were also recorded at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-1.2%). In contrast, sales went up for building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+0.8%) and used car dealers (+2.9%). Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were also down 0.7% in July. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 5.1%. source: Statistics Canada

Retail Sales in Canada increased 1.30 percent in August of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in Canada averaged 0.39 percent from 1991 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 22.20 percent in May of 2020 and a record low of -23.00 percent in April of 2020. This page provides - Canada Retail Sales MoM - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Canada Retail Sales MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Retail Sales in Canada increased 1.30 percent in August of 2026 over the previous month. Retail Sales MoM in Canada is expected to be 0.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Canada Retail Sales MoM is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027 and 0.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-24 12:30 PM
Retail Sales MoM Final
Jul -0.7% 0.6% -0.8% -0.8%
2026-09-24 12:30 PM
Retail Sales MoM Prel
Aug 1.3% -0.7% 0.4%
2026-10-23 12:30 PM
Retail Sales MoM Final
Aug -0.7% 1.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Credit 835707.00 834363.00 CAD Million Jul 2026
Consumer Spending 1454690.00 1442798.00 CAD Million Jun 2026
Disposable Personal Income 1860216.00 1821552.00 CAD Million Jun 2026
Households Debt to GDP 99.87 100.30 percent of GDP Jun 2026
Households Debt to Income 175.10 174.80 percent Jun 2026
Personal Savings 3.70 3.50 percent Jun 2026
Retail Sales Ex Autos MoM -0.70 0.50 percent Jul 2026
Retail Sales MoM 1.30 -0.70 percent Aug 2026
Retail Sales YoY 5.10 5.20 percent Jul 2026


Canada Retail Sales MoM
In Canada, the Retail sales report provides an aggregated measure of sales of retail goods and services over a specific time period. In Canada, Retail sales are seasonal, volatile and relatively important to the overall economy.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
1.30 -0.70 22.20 -23.00 1991 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, SA

News Stream
Canada Retail Sales Likely Rebounded in August
Retail sales in Canada likely increased 1.3% month-over-month in August 2026, rebounding from a 0.7% fall in July, according to preliminary estimates. It would mark the strongest gain in retail sales since January. Meanwhile in July, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were down 0.8%, posting their first decline in four months, led by lower sales at new car dealers (-1.3%). Also, sales at gasoline stations and fuel vendors declined 0.9%, sales at general merchandise dropped 1.9% and lower sales were also recorded at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers (-1.2%). In contrast, sales went up for building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers (+0.8%) and used car dealers (+2.9%). Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were also down 0.7% in July. Year-on-year, retail sales increased 5.1%.
2026-09-24
Canada Retail Sales Seen Sharply Lower
Retail sales in Canada are expected to have fallen by 0.8% from the previous month in July, according to flash estimate. Such a decrease would be the sharpest in ten months, erasing the 0.6% jump from June, which was in turn revised higher from the flash estimate of 0.4%. Sales turnover surged for general merchandise retailers (2.7%) and stores selling clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and luggage (3.1%). Meanwhile, sales for motor vehicle and parts dealers, which are commonly volatile and have a large impact from credit conditions, rose by 1%. Conversely, turnover at gasoline stations sunk 4.1%, the first decline in four months, despite a 4.2% increase in volumes as the momentary respite in the war in the Middle East had lowered fuel prices in global wholesale markets. From the previous year, Canadian retail turnover expanded by 5.2%.
2026-08-21
Canada Retail Sales Set to Rise Again in June
Retail sales in Canada increased by 0.4% from the previous month in June 2026, according to a preliminary estimate. If confirmed, it would mark a sixth straight increase in retail sales. In May, retail turnover rose by 1% to C$73.7 billion, in line with earlier estimates. Sales were up in all nine subsectors, led by increases at gasoline stations and fuel vendor (+3.1%). Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 0.7% in May, rising for a second consecutive month. All four store types within this subsector posted increases in May, with higher sales at new car dealers (+0.5%) leading the gain. Following a decrease of 0.7% in April, core retail sales rose 0.9% in May. The increase was led by higher sales at general merchandise retailers (+1.0%), which posted its first increase in three months. Retail sales increased in nine provinces in May, in particular British Columbia (+2.1%).
2026-07-23