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 23, 2021RETAIL TRADE, MAY 2021 With May reference month results, year-over-year (May 2021 vs May 2020) and year-to-date (Jan-May 2021 vs Jan-May 2020) show rebounds in economic activity from the unprecedented declines observed in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MONTH OVER MONTH (seasonally adjusted May 2021 vs Apr 2021)
In Nova Scotia Retail Trade decreased (-12.5%) to $1,351.3 million. Nationally, Retail Trade decreased -2.1% to $53.8 billion.
Two provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Saskatchewan (1.7%) reporting the largest gain and Nova Scotia (-12.5%) reporting the largest decline.
YEAR OVER YEAR (seasonally adjusted May 2021 vs May 2020)
In Nova Scotia Retail Trade increased 16.7%. Nationally, Retail Trade increased 24.6%.
Ten provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Quebec (28.7%) reporting the largest gain Nova Scotia (16.7%) reporting the smallest gain
YEAR TO DATE (seasonally adjusted Jan-May 2021 vs Jan-May 2020)
Nova Scotia Retail Trade increased 24.5%. Nationally, Retail Trade increased 20.5%.
Ten provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (30.8%) reporting the largest gain and Ontario (15.2%) reporting the smallest gain.
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
YEAR TO DATE (Unadjusted Jan-May 2021 vs Jan-May 2020)
Retail Trade increased 25.4% or $1,399.7 million, on an unadjusted basis. In dollar terms, Motor Vehicle ($709.1 million) contributed most to the increase. Building materials ($190.0 million) and gas stations ($163.3 million) also contributed to the increase. The smallest increases were reported in electronics ($24.5 million) and food and beverage stores ($1.8 million).
TRENDS
Nova Scotia's retail sales declined sharply from February 2020 to April 2020. Retail sales rebounded over the next twelve months. In April 2021, sales figures in the province started to decline due to new restrictions. Restrictions on retail stores that went into effect on April 28. Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's May 2021 retail sales were down 1.0% below their pre-pandemic levels.
National retail sales also rebounded after the sharp decline in March and April 2020. In May 2021, retail sales were 3.5% above pre-pandemic levels. In Ontario, retail sales were 6.3% below pre-pandemic levels. Most provinces have weathered the downturn, and retails sales were 7.6% to 15.2% above pre-pandemic levels.
E-Commerce (seasonally adjusted)
In May 2021, Canada's ecommerce sales increased 2.1% to $4.2 billion or 7.8% of total retail sales.
On a year-over-year basis (May 2021 vs May 2020), seasonally adjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 1.8%.
On a year-to-date basis (Jan-May 2021 vs Jan-May 2020), seasonally adjusted retail e-commerce sales increased 41.8%.
REFERENCES
Statistics Canada. Tables 20-10-0072-01 Retail E-commerce sales, unadjusted (x 1,000) , 20-10-0008-01 Retail trade sales by province and territory (x 1,000)
<--- Return to Archive
