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:
April 28, 2021RETAIL TRADE, FEBRUARY 2021 MONTH OVER MONTH (seasonally adjusted Feb 2021 to Jan 2021)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 2.9% to $1,537.9 million. Nationally, retail trade increased 4.8% to $55.1 billion. Six provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Quebec (19.0%) reporting the largest gain and Newfoundland and Labrador (-10.8% reporting the largest decline.
YEAR OVER YEAR (seasonally adjusted Feb 2021 vs Feb 2020)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 12.7%. Nationally, retail trade increased 6.0%. Nine provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (17.3% ) reporting the largest gain and Ontario(-1.6%) reporting the only decline.
YEAR TO DATE (seasonally adjusted Jan-Feb 2021 to Jan-Feb 2020)
Nova Scotia Retail Trade increased 11.1%. Nationally, Retail Trade increased 4.2%. Nine provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (16.4%) reporting the largest gain and Ontario (-2.1%) reporting the only decline.
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
YEAR TO DATE (Unadjusted Jan-Feb 2021 to Jan-Feb 2020)
Retail Trade increased 8.5% or $190.8 million. Motor vehicles, food/beverage, building materials and general merchandise stores contributed most to the increase. The largest declines were reported in clothing/accessories and gas stations.
TRENDS (Jan 2013 to Feb 2021)
Nova Scotia's retail sales declined sharply from February 2020 to April 2020. Retail sales rebounded over the next eight months. Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's February 2021 retail sales were 12.7% above their pre-pandemic levels.
National retail sales also rebounded after the sharp decline in March and April 2020. Retail sales were 6.0% above pre-pandemic levels. Nine provinces retail sales were above pre-pandemic levels. Ontario reported lower levels than in February 2020. after declining in recent months.
E-Commerce (seasonally adjusted)
On a month-over-month basis (Feb 2021 vs Jan 2021), Canada's retail e-commerce sales declined 5.7% to $3.9 billion or 7.0% of total retail sales.
On a year-over-year basis (Feb 2021 vs Feb 2020), retail e-commerce sales increased 89.6%
On a year-to-date basis (Jan-Feb 2021 vs Jan-Feb 2020), retail e-commerce sales increased 101.7%
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
