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- calendar_today November 7, 2026
Retail Sales Reach $76.3 Billion in August 2026
Retailers in Canada recorded total sales of $76.3 billion in August 2026, marking a 4.5% increase compared to August 2025, according to data released by Statistics Canada on November 6. The growth was seen across a broad range of commodities, with 15 of 18 retail categories posting gains.
Strong Gains in Fuel, Health, and Prescription Drug Sales
The most notable rise occurred in the automotive and household fuels category, which jumped by 25.1%. Statistics Canada attributes this surge largely to higher fuel prices. Home health products also saw significant growth, increasing by 12.8%, while sales of prescription drugs were up 15.2% compared to the prior year.
Motor Vehicle Sales: New Vehicles Up, Used Down
Within the motor vehicle sector, total sales increased by 3.5% year over year. New vehicle sales led the category with a 7.4% rise, suggesting strong consumer demand for the latest models. In contrast, used vehicle sales decreased by 2.1% during the same period.
Widespread Retail Growth Across Sectors
The August data from Statistics Canada shows that 15 of 18 major commodity classes experienced growth. This broad-based increase suggests resilience and recovery across much of the Canadian retail landscape, with only a few categories experiencing declines.
Preliminary September Estimate Suggests Further Gains
Statistics Canada also provided an early estimate for September retail sales. The agency’s advance and unadjusted figures suggest that retail sales were 8.1% higher than September of the previous year. However, these preliminary results may be subject to revision when the full September data becomes available.
About the Data
This information is sourced from Statistics Canada’s Retail Commodity Survey for August 2026, published on November 6, 2026. The monthly survey tracks activity across multiple retail sectors, offering insight into nationwide consumer trends.
Source: westislandblog.com.
