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September 23, 2016RETAIL TRADE, JULY 2016
In Canada July 2016 retail sales (seasonally adjusted) decreased 0.1% from June 2016 to $44.1 billion and increased 2.3% over July 2015. The growth index (2005=100) decreased 0.1 points to 144.7 over the previous month.
In Nova Scotia July 2016, retail sales (seasonally adjusted) increased 0.6% from June 2016 to $1.19 billion and increased 0.8% over July 2015. The growth index (2005=100) increased 0.8 points to 135.4 over the previous month.
In January-July 2016 Nova Scotia unadjusted retail sales increased 4.0% ($308 million) over January-July 2015. The motor vehicle sector, accounting for 27 per cent of retail sales in the January to July 2016 period, was responsible for the majority of the dollar increase with a gain of $218 million (+13.0%). Building Materials with an increase of $65 million (+14.0%) and General Merchandise increase of $64 million (+7.0%) also contributed to the growth in retail sales between Jan-Jul 2016 and Jan-Jul 2015. The food and beverage sector, accounting for 24 per cent of total sales, was down 1.1 per cent or $20 million and gasoline stations, 12 per cent of total sales, was down 4.3 per cent or $43 million.
Canada and the Provinces
British Columbia (+0.9%), Ontario (+0.8%) and Nova Scotia (0.6%) had the fastest growth in retail sales this month. Sales were up year-over-year in seven provinces with Alberta, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick seeing a 3.1% to 3.9% decline compared to July 2015. On a year-to-date basis, Canada retail sales have increased 4.2 per cent, growth has been strongest in British Columbia (6.6%) and Prince Edward Island (6.5%). Nova Scotia ranked 3rd in momth-over -month, and 6th in year-over-year and year-to-date per cent growth.
Statistics Canada Cat. No. 63-005-X
CANSIM 080-0020
Summary Tables S.A. Monthly; U.A. Annual