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October 22, 2014RETAIL TRADE, AUGUST 2014 
In Canada, retail sales (seasonally adjusted) declined 0.3% from July 2014 to $42.4 billion in August 2014. Retail sales were down in six provinces in August. In Nova Scotia, retail sales (seasonally adjusted) decreased 1.5% from July 2014 to $1.18 billion in August 2014. Lower sales in Ontario (-0.5%), Alberta (-0.5%), Nova Scotia (-1.5%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-2.1%) came after three or more months of advances.
On a year over year basis, Canadian retail sales were up 4.4%. The higher sales were reported in all provinces. The largest increases were recorded in Alberta (+8.0%), British Columbia (+5.8%), New Brunswick (+5.2%) and Prince Edward Island (+5.0%). Nova Scotia ranked the 10th with retail sales growth of 2.0% from August 2013 to August 2014.
Nova Scotia year-to-date unadjusted retail sales were up 2.5% ($222.3 million) in Jan-Aug 2014 over Jan-Aug 2013. The largest increases in dollar terms were registered in Motor vehicles sales ($86.3 million), Gasoline ($79.9 million) and General merchandise ($70.2 million). The largest declines in dollar terms were observed in Electronics ($19.7 million) and Building materials ($14.7 million).
On a year-to-date basis retail sales in Canada increased by 4.7% in Jan-Aug 2014 over Jan-Aug 2013. Alberta led the provinces in year-to-date (+8.5%) retail sales growth, followed by British Columbia (+5.7%) and Saskatchewan (+5.1%). Nova Scotia ranked the 10th in year-to-date (+2.6%) retail sales growth.
Statistics Canada Cat. No.
63-005-XCANSIM
080-0020Summary Tables
S.A. Monthly;
U.A. Annual