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October 22, 2021RETAIL TRADE, AUGUST 2021 With August reference month results, year-over-year (Aug 2021 vs Aug 2020) and year-to-date (Jan-Aug 2021 vs Jan-Aug 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 Aug 2021 vs Jul 2021)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 2.5% to $1,563.2 million. Nationally, retail trade increased 2.1% to $57.2 billion.
All provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (5.9%) reporting the largest gain and Alberta (0.4%) reporting the smallest gain.
YEAR OVER YEAR (seasonally adjusted Aug 2021 vs Aug 2020)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 10.0%. Nationally, retail trade increased 8.4%.
All provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (14.4%) reporting the largest gain. Newfoundland and Labrador (4.7%) reporting the smallest gain.
YEAR TO DATE (seasonally adjusted Jan-Aug 2021 vs Jan-Aug 2020)
Nova Scotia retail trade increased 19.3%. Nationally, retail trade increased 14.9%.
All provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (24.0%) reporting the largest gain and Ontario (11.3%) reporting the smallest gain.
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
YEAR TO DATE (Unadjusted Jan-Aug 2021 vs Jan-Aug 2020)
Retail Trade increased 19.3% or $1,939.3 million.
In dollar terms, Motor Vehicle ($893.7 million) contributed most to the increase. Building materials ($226.3 million) and gas stations ($313.5 million) also contributed to the increase. The smaller increases were reported in electronics ($30.4 million) and food and beverage stores ($36.1 million).
TRENDS ( January 2013 to August 2021)
Nova Scotia's retail sales declined sharply from February 2020 to April 2020. Retail sales rebounded over the next twelve months. Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's August 2021 retail sales were 14.5% above their pre-pandemic levels.
National retail sales also rebounded after the sharp decline in March and April 2020. In August 2021, retail sales had increased 10.1% above pre-pandemic levels. In Ontario, retail sales increased 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels. Most provinces have weathered the downturn, and retails sales were 7.2% to 17.4% above pre-pandemic levels.
E-Commerce (seasonally adjusted)
In August 2021, Canada's ecommerce sales increased 3.2% to $3.3 billion or 5.8% of total retail sales.
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)
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