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June 21, 2019RETAIL TRADE, APRIL 2019 
In Nova Scotia April 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade decreased 1.6 per cent over March 2019 to $1.4 billion. In Apr 2019 vs Apr 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 0.7 per cent.
Nationally, April 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 0.1 per cent over March 2019 to $51.5 billion. In Apr 2019 vs Apr 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 3.7 per cent.
Canada and the Provinces
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 0.1 per cent nationally. Four provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Manitoba (1.8 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported a decline (1.6 per cent) over the previous month. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest decline (4.6 per cent).
On a year over year basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 3.7 per cent nationally. Eight provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Ontario (6.8 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (0.7 per cent) over the same month last year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest decline (3.6 per cent).
On a year to date basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 2.4 per cent nationally. Eight provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (3.6 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (2.2 per cent) over the same period last year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest decline (1.4 per cent).
Nova Scotia Sectors
Unadjusted year-to-date (Jan-Apr 2019), Retail Trade increased 2.7 per cent ($125.9 million) over Jan-Apr 2018 to $4,762.8 million.
The following sectors increased,
- Motor Vehicle with a 29% share of Retail Trade increased 9.2 per cent ($114.9 million).
- Food & Beverage with a 23% share increased 6.3 per cent ($64.7 million).
- General Merchandise with a 11% share increased 4.3 per cent ($22.0 million).
- Clothing with a 3% share increased 0.5 per cent ($0.8 million).
- Miscellaneous Stores with a 2% share increased 9.7 per cent ($9.4 million).
The following sectors declined,
- Electronics with a 1% share decreased 16.3 per cent ($8.6 million).
- Gas Stations with a 13% share decreased 7.5 per cent (-$48.4 million).
- Building Material with a 6% share decreased 7.5 per cent ($22.5 million).
- Furniture with a 2% share decreased 2.0 per cent ($2.4 million).
- Sporting & Hobbies with a 2% share decreased 1.3 per cent ($0.9 million).
- Health with an 8% share decreased 0.7 per cent ($3.0 million).
Cannabis stores
In Nova Scotia, Oct-18 to Apr-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $37.2 million. This represents a 9.4% share of the Canadian market.
In Canada, Oct-18 to Apr-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $394.7 million. Cannabis stores are now included under the Miscellaneous Stores category and broken out individually.
E-Commerce
In Canada April 2019,
- on a month-over-month basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 0.3 per cent over March 2019 to $1.6 billion, representing a 3.1% share of total retail trade.
- On a year-over-year basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 14.9 per cent over April 2018.
- On a year-to-date basis (Jan-Apr 2019), unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 17.9 per cent over Jan-Apr 2018 to $6.0 billion, representing a 3.3% 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)
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