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:
July 19, 2019RETAIL TRADE, MAY 2019 
In Nova Scotia May 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade decreased 2.3 per cent over April 2019 to $1.3 billion. In May 2019 vs May 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 0.3 per cent.
Nationally, May 2019, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade decreased 0.1 per cent over April 2019 to $51.5 billion. In May 2019 vs May 2018, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 1.0 per cent.
Canada and the Provinces
On a month over month basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade decreased 0.1 per cent nationally. Two provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Quebec (0.9 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported a decline (-2.3 per cent) over the previous month. Prince Edward Island reported the largest decline (-3.9 per cent).
On a year over year basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 1.0 per cent nationally. Six provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Ontario (2.6 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (0.3 per cent) over the same month last year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the largest decline (-3.8 per cent).
On a year to date basis, seasonally adjusted Retail Trade increased 2.1 per cent nationally. Nine provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Ontario (3.2 per cent) reporting the largest gain. Nova Scotia reported an increase (1.5 per cent) over the same period last year. Newfoundland and Labrador reported the only decline (-2.0 per cent).
Nova Scotia Sectors
Unadjusted year-to-date (Jan-May 2019), Retail Trade increased 2.0 per cent ($123.3 million) over Jan-May 2018 to $6,239.0 million.
- Motor Vehicle with a 29% share of Retail Trade increased 6.8 per cent ($116.0 million).
- Furniture with a 2% share decreased 0.6 per cent ($1.0 million).
- Electronics with a 1% share decreased 16.9 per cent ($11.4 million).
- Building Material with a 6% share decreased 7.4 per cent ($30.8 million).
- Food & Beverage with a 22% share increased 5.5 per cent ($72.7 million).
- Health with a 8% share decreased 0.2 per cent ($0.8 million).
- Gas Stations with a 13% share decreased 6.4 per cent (-$53.9 million).
- Clothing with a 3% share decreased 0.5 per cent ($0.9 million).
- Sporting & Hobbies with a 1% share increased 0.05 per cent ($0.045 million).
- General Merchandise with a 11% share increased 3.4 per cent ($23.3 million).
- Miscellaneous Stores with a 2% share increased 7.7 per cent ($10.1 million).
Cannabis stores
In Nova Scotia, Oct-18 to May-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $42.5 million. This represents a 8.8% share of the Canadian market.
In Canada, Oct-18 to May-19, on a period-to-date basis, unadjusted retail cannabis store sales reached $480.2 million.
E-Commerce
In Canada May 2019,
- on a month-over-month basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 14.2 per cent over April 2019 to $1.8 billion,
representing a 3.1% share of total retail trade.
- On a year-over-year basis, unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 21.8 per cent over May 2018.
- On a year-to-date basis (Jan-May 2019) , unadjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 18.8 per cent over Jan-May 2018 to $7.7 billion,
representing a 3.2% 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
