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:
September 23, 2021RETAIL TRADE, JULY 2021 With July reference month results, year-over-year (Jul 2021 vs Jul 2020) and year-to-date (Jan-Jul 2021 vs Jan-Jul 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 Jul 2021 vs Jun 2021)
In Nova Scotia retail trade decreased 3.3% to $1,525.7 million, and nationally, retail trade decreased 0.6% to $55.8 billion.
Two provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Ontario (0.9%) reporting the largest gain and Prince Edward Island (-3.8% ) reporting the largest decline.
YEAR OVER YEAR (seasonally adjusted Jul 2021 vs Jul 2020)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 12.0%, and nationally, retail trade increased 5.3%.
Ten provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (14.7%) reporting the largest gain, and Newfoundland and Labrador (3.1%) reporting the smallest gain.
YEAR TO DATE (seasonally adjusted Jan-Jul 2021 vs Jan-Jul 2020)
Nova Scotia retail trade increased 20.9%, and nationally, retail trade increased 15.9%.
Ten provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (25.2%) reporting the largest gain, and Ontario (11.4%) reporting the smallest gain.
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
YEAR TO DATE (Unadjusted Jan-Jul 2021 vs Jan-Jul 2020)
Retail Trade increased 21.0% or $1,792.7 million.
In dollar terms, Motor Vehicle ($872.8 million) contributed most to the increase. Building materials ($204.4 million) and gas stations ($247.2 million) also contributed to the increase. The smaller increases were reported in electronics ($30.5 million), sporting goods and hobbies ($33.7 million) and food and beverage stores ($37.9 million).
TRENDS ( January 2013 to July 2021)
Nova Scotia's retail sales declined sharply from February 2020 to April 2020. Retail sales returned to February 2020 levels in summer 2020 but have fluctuated with renewed restrictions in 2021. Compared to February 2020, Nova Scotia's July 2021 retail sales were up 11.8% above their pre-pandemic levels.
National retail sales also rebounded after the sharp decline in March and April 2020. In July 2021, retail sales had increased 7.3% above pre-pandemic levels. In Ontario, retail sales were 3.1% above pre-pandemic levels - the smallest increase among the provinces.
E-Commerce (seasonally adjusted)
In July 2021, Canada's ecommerce sales decreased 19.5% to $3.2 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)
<--- Return to Archive
