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November 19, 2021RETAIL TRADE, SEPTEMBER 2021 With September reference month results, year-over-year (Sep 2021 vs Sep 2020) and year-to-date (Jan-Sep 2021 vs Jan-Sep 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 Sep 2021 vs Aug 2021)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 3.5% to $1,607.7 million. Nationally, retail trade decreased -0.6% to $56.6 billion.
Nine provinces reported monthly increases in retail trade, with Newfoundland and Labrador (3.7%) reporting the largest gain and Ontario (-4.4%) reporting the only decline.
YEAR OVER YEAR (seasonally adjusted Sep 2021 vs Sep 2020)
In Nova Scotia retail trade increased 14.1%. Nationally, retail trade increased 4.8%.
All provinces reported year-over-year increases in retail trade, with Nova Scotia (14.1%) reporting the largest gain, and Ontario (1.6%) reporting the smallest gain.
YEAR TO DATE (seasonally adjusted Jan-Sep 2021 vs Jan-Sep 2020)
Nova Scotia retail trade increased 18.7%. Nationally, retail trade increased 13.6%.
All provinces reported year-to-date increases in retail trade, with Prince Edward Island (22.4%) reporting the largest gain, and Ontario (9.9%) reporting the smallest gain.
NOVA SCOTIA SECTORS
YEAR TO DATE (Unadjusted Jan-Sep 2021 vs Jan-Sep 2020)
Retail trade increased 18.5% or $2,120.5 million.
In dollar terms, Motor Vehicle ($945.6 million) contributed most to the increase. Building materials ($241.3 million), and gas stations ($362.9) also contributed to the increase. The smallest increases were reported in Electronics ($33.3 million), and food and sporting and hobby stores ($37.0 million).
TRENDS ( January 2013 to September 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 September 2021 retail sales were 17.8% above their pre-pandemic levels.
National retail sales also rebounded after the sharp decline in March and April 2020. In September 2021, retail sales had increased 9.0% above pre-pandemic levels.
In Ontario, retail sales increased 2.8% above pre-pandemic levels. All provinces have weathered the downturn, and retails sales were 2.8% to 18.2% above pre-pandemic levels. Compared with March 2020, the change was more dramatic: Nationally, the increased (Sep-21 vs Mar-20) was 21.6%; in Nova Scotia, 32.1%; in the other provinces between 11.8% and 37.6%.
E-Commerce (seasonally adjusted)
In September 2021, Canada's ecommerce sales increased 5.1% to $3.5 billion or 6.2% 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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