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June 22, 2018RETAIL TRADE, APRIL 2018 Month-over month
In April 2018, Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted retail sales increased 2.1 per cent over March 2018 to $1.37 billion. Year-over-year, retail sales are 4.7 per cent higher than in April 2017. The Nova Scotia retail trade index (2015=100) increased to 116.9.
Nationally, seasonally adjusted retail sales declined 1.2 per cent to $49.5 billion in April. Retail sales are up 1.6 per cent, year-over-year. The Canada retail trade index (2015=100) decreased to 113.8.
Canada and the Provinces
In April 2018, six provinces reported month-over-month declines in seasonally adjusted retail sales. In percentage terms, the largest gains were in Saskatchewan (+2.2 per cent) followed closely by Nova Scotia (+2.1 per cent).
All provinces except New Brunswick and Manitoba reported positive year-over year (April 2018 over April 2017) retail sales growth. The largest gains were in British Columbia (+5.9 per cent) and Nova Scotia (+4.7 per cent).
On a year-to-date basis, seven provinces reported increased retail sales compared to the same period in 2017. Nova Scotia had the strongest growth (+5.3 per cent), in percentage terms, followed by British Columbia (+4.6 per cent) and Prince Edward Island (+4.0 per cent). Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba reported the largest declines (-1.4 per cent). Nationally, retail sales were up by 2.9 per cent in the first four months of 2018.
Nova Scotia Sectors
In Nova Scotia Jan-Apr 2018, unadjusted year-to-date Retail Trade increased 5.4 per cent ($241.9 million) over Jan-Apr 2017 to $4.7 billion.
- Motor Vehicle with a 27% share of Retail Trade increased 0.2 per cent ($3.0 million).
- Furniture with a 3% share increased 32.3 per cent ($29.3 million).
- Electronics with a 1% share increased 10.0 per cent ($5.3 million).
- Building Material with a 6% share increased 19.3 per cent ($48.3 million).
- Food & Beverage with a 22% share increased 1.8 per cent ($18.6 million).
- Health with a 9% share increased 2.9 per cent ($11.3 million).
- Gas Stations with a 15% share increased 16.2 per cent ($97.0 million).
- Clothing with a 3% share increased 2.2 per cent ($3.3 million).
- Sporting & Hobbies with a 2% share decreased 2.1 per cent (-$1.5 million).
- General Merchandise with a 11% share decreased 0.4 per cent (-$2.3 million).
- Misc. Stores with a 2% share increased 38.5 per cent ($29.7 million).
E-Commerce
In April 2018, Canadian unadjusted retail e-commerce sales (representing 2.7% of retail trade) increased 8.8 per cent year-over-year to $1.3 billion.
Source: Statistics Canada Tables 20-10-0008-01 and 20-10-0072-01
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