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November 21, 2025RETAIL TRADE, SEPTEMBER 2025 Monthly (seasonally adjusted, September 2025 vs August 2025)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 1.5% to $1.9 billion, posted the highest increase among the provinces. Nationally, retail trade decreased 0.7% to $69.8 billion. Four provinces reported increases in retail trade, led by Newfoundland and Labrador. Six provinces reported decreases in retail sales, led by New Brunswick.
Year over year (September 2025 vs September 2024)
Nova Scotia retail trade increased 3.6% compared to the same month last year. Nationally, retail trade was up 3.4% year-over-year. All provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, led by British Columbia. Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador reported the slowest growth rate.
Year to date (January-September 2025 vs January-September 2024)
Nova Scotia retail trade increased 3.5% year-to-date compared to the same period last year. Nationally, retail trade was up 4.8% year-to-date. All provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, led by British Columbia. Prince Edward Island reported the slowest growth (followed by Nova Scotia).
In dollar terms, motor vehicles/parts ($4.447 billion), food/beverage ($3.140 billion), gas stations ($2,272 billion) and general merchandise stores ($2.219 billion) contributed the most to Nova Scotia's retail sales in January-September 2025.
The largest increases in percentage terms were reported in motor vehicles and parts stores, clothing, appliances/electronics, and health/personal care, as well as miscellaneous retail. Gas stations and building materials/garden supply stores reported the only declines.
Trends
In recent months, Nova Scotia retail sales have been more volatile than the Canadian average (common for a smaller province). Nova Scotia reported increasing retail sales in recent months, while Canadian retail sales have declined.
E-Commerce
In September 2025, Canada's ecommerce sales decreased 3.5% monthly, decreasing to $4.1 billion, or to 5.9% of total retail sales.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table: 20-10-0056-01, Monthly retail trade sales by province and territory (x 1,000)
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