2026.03.2012:42:30UTC+00Canadian Retail Sales Surge in Year Start

Retail sales in Canada are estimated to have risen by 0.9% in February 2026 from the previous month, according to a preliminary estimate. If confirmed, this would build on January’s 1.1% gain—revised down from an initial 1.5%—bringing sales to C$69.7 billion and marking a rebound from the 0.5% decline recorded in December 2025. This would represent the strongest two-month increase in retail sales since December 2024.

In January, retail turnover increased across several categories: general merchandise retailers saw sales rise 3.0% to C$9.4 billion; sports, hobby, musical instrument, and book stores recorded a 2.6% gain to C$3.9 billion; health and personal care stores rose 1.2% to C$5.9 billion; and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers advanced 1.3% to C$3.9 billion. Sales of motor vehicles and parts, a typically volatile category, climbed 2.0% to C$19.3 billion. In contrast, gasoline station receipts edged down 0.4% to C$6.7 billion.

On a year-over-year basis, retail turnover in February increased by 1.5%.