Canada. Retail Sales Down

Retail sales in current dollars fell 0.6% to $34.2 billion in July. Most of the decline reflected lower prices at gasoline stations.

In volume terms, retail sales edged down 0.1%. Retail sales have risen in five of the first seven months of 2009, following large drops at the end of 2008.

Sales were down in five of eight retail sectors in July. In the automotive sector, the 1.0% decline in sales was due to a 3.4% fall in sales at gasoline stations as prices at the pump dropped. This was the third time in four months where sales at gasoline stations have been the largest contributor to the change in overall retail sales, reflecting swings in prices.

In the rest of the automotive sector, sales at new car dealers (+0.2%) increased for a third consecutive month. This was lower than the rise in unit sales reported in the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey, as some of the increase in the number of units sold came from lower valued vehicles. Used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers (+0.1%) posted relatively stable sales after strong increases in May and June.

The food and beverage stores sector posted a 1.5% sales decline in July, reflecting decreases across its various store types. Sales at supermarkets, which account for about three quarters of the sector's sales, declined 1.6%, more than offsetting June's increase. Beer, wine and liquor stores (-1.4%) also saw a slowdown in sales after two months of solid increases. Unseasonably poor weather in many parts of the country may have affected sales at these types of stores in July.

Sales at furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores decreased 0.6% in July following two months of increases. This was entirely due to a 2.5% fall in sales at home electronics and appliance stores after a sizable gain in June, partly reflecting the introduction of new products.

The largest increase was a 1.1% rise in sales at pharmacies and personal care stores. Sales in this sector continue to follow a long-term upward trend.

The 1.0% increase at building and outdoor home supplies stores more than offset the decrease in June. Despite rising sales in four of the first seven months of 2009, sales in this sector have not offset the substantial decline in December 2008.

Sales at general merchandise stores increased 0.6% in July. Sales for this store type have been relatively flat since October 2008.

Sales down in all provinces

Retail sales declined in all provinces in July, reflecting the impact of price-induced lower sales at gasoline stations.

Alberta (-1.1%) was the largest contributor to the national decline in July, with sales down 9.2% compared with July 2008, the largest year-over-year decline among all the provinces. Sales fell 0.3% in Ontario, making it the second largest contributor to the overall decline.

The smallest decline was in Newfoundland and Labrador (-0.1%), where retail sales in July were higher compared with the same month in 2008.

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