20 Feb 2015
Canadian retail sales decline 0.2 percent
FXStreet (London) - Canadian retail sales fell 2.0 percent to CAD42.1 billion in December, according to Statistics Canada. This was the largest decline since April 2010.
After removing the effects of price changes, particularly lower gas prices, sales in volume terms declined 1.3 percent.
Lower sales were reported in 9 of 11 subsectors, representing 71 percent of retail trade.
Sales at gasoline stations fell 7.4 percent in December, reflecting lower prices at the pump. This was the sixth straight monthly decrease and the largest decline since December 2008.
Lower sales at new car dealers accounted for most of the decrease at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-1.0 percent). After peaking in September, sales at new car dealers (-1.0 percent) declined for the third month in a row. Weaker sales were also reported at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (-4.8 percent) and other motor vehicle dealers (-0.7 percent). Sales at used car dealers rose 3.1 percent, the second consecutive monthly gain.
The largest increase in dollar terms came from a 1.0 percent gain at food and beverage stores, reflecting higher sales at beer, wine and liquor stores (+4.0 percent), specialty food stores (+3.1 percent) and convenience stores (+2.3 percent). Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores edged down 0.1 percent in December.
After removing the effects of price changes, particularly lower gas prices, sales in volume terms declined 1.3 percent.
Lower sales were reported in 9 of 11 subsectors, representing 71 percent of retail trade.
Sales at gasoline stations fell 7.4 percent in December, reflecting lower prices at the pump. This was the sixth straight monthly decrease and the largest decline since December 2008.
Lower sales at new car dealers accounted for most of the decrease at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-1.0 percent). After peaking in September, sales at new car dealers (-1.0 percent) declined for the third month in a row. Weaker sales were also reported at automotive parts, accessories and tire stores (-4.8 percent) and other motor vehicle dealers (-0.7 percent). Sales at used car dealers rose 3.1 percent, the second consecutive monthly gain.
The largest increase in dollar terms came from a 1.0 percent gain at food and beverage stores, reflecting higher sales at beer, wine and liquor stores (+4.0 percent), specialty food stores (+3.1 percent) and convenience stores (+2.3 percent). Sales at supermarkets and other grocery stores edged down 0.1 percent in December.