The Economics and Statistics Division maintains archives of previous publications for accountability purposes, but makes no updates to keep these documents current with the latest data revisions from Statistics Canada. As a result, information in older documents may not be accurate. Please exercise caution when referring to older documents. For the latest information and historical data, please contact the individual listed to the right.
<--- Return to Archive
For additional information relating to this article, please contact:
May 22, 2019RETAIL TRADE, MARCH 2019 
In Nova Scotia March 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 3.0 per cent over February 2019 to $1.4 billion. In Mar 2019 vs Mar 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 4.2 per cent.
Nationally, March 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 1.1 per cent over February 2019 to $51.3 billion. In Mar 2019 vs Mar 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 2.6 per cent.
Canada and the Provinces
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 1.1 per cent nationally. Nine provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Newfoundland and Labrador (4.1 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (3.0 per cent) over the previous month. Manitoba reported the only decline (0.7 per cent).
On a year over year basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 2.6 per cent nationally. Ten provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (5.6 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (4.2 per cent) over the same month last year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the smallest gain (0.6 per cent).
On a year to date basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 1.9 per cent nationally. Eight provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Quebec (3.7 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (2.6 per cent) over the same period last year. Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan reported the largest decline (0.5 per cent).
Nova Scotia Sectors
Unadjusted year-to-date (Jan-Mar 2019), Retail Trade increased 2.4 per cent ($80.9 million) over Jan-Mar 2018 to $3,420.5 million.
The following sectors increased,
- Motor Vehicle with a 27% share of Retail Trade increased 11.0 per cent ($92.8 million).
- Food & Beverage with a 24% share increased 5.5 per cent ($42.3 million).
- Clothing with a 3% share increased 0.6 per cent ($0.6 million).
- General Merchandise with a 11% share increased 2.1 per cent ($7.9 million).
- Miscellaneous Stores with a 2% share increased 19.8 per cent ($12.6 million).
The following sectors declined,
- Furniture with a 3% share decreased 1.4 per cent ($1.2 million).
- Electronics with a 1% share decreased 21.1 per cent ($8.5 million).
- Building Material with a 6% share decreased 5.5 per cent ($11.5 million).
- Health with a 9% share decreased 1.7 per cent ($5.4 million).
- Gas Stations with a 13% share decreased 10.0 per cent (-$48.4 million).
- Sporting & Hobbies with a 2% share decreased 0.6 per cent ($0.3 million).
Cannabis stores
In Nova Scotia, Oct-18 to Mar-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $32.2 million. This represents a 10.1% share of the Canadian market.
In Canada, Oct-18 to Mar-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $319.6.0 million. Cannabis stores are now included under the Miscellaneous Stores category and broken out individually.
E-Commerce
In Canada March 2019,
- on a month-over-month basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 17.8 per cent over February 2019 to $1.6 billion, representing a 3.2% share of total retail trade.
- On a year-over-year basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 20.0 per cent over March 2018.
- On a year-to-date basis (Jan-Mar 2019), unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 19.3 per cent over Jan-Mar 2018 to $4.4 billion, representing a 3.4% share of total retail trade.
TABLES & SELECTED FIELDS
Statistics Canada Citations
Table 20-10-0072-01 Retail E-commerce sales, unadjusted (x 1,000)
Table 20-10-0008-01 Retail trade sales by province and territory (x 1,000)
<--- Return to Archive
