Overview

• Headline sales rose 1.5% to C$70.2 billion in June after May was revised to a 1.2% decline.
• Core and ex-auto sales each increased 1.9%, indicating firmer spending outside motor vehicles.
• All nine retail subsectors advanced, led by food and beverage retailers up 2.3%; gasoline stations rose 1.8% with volumes up 2.7%, and motor vehicle and parts dealers edged up 0.2%.
• Sales increased in six provinces, with Ontario up 3.2% and British Columbia up 1.5%, while Saskatchewan fell 1.4% linked to wildfire evacuations and weaker auto sales.
• The share of retailers reporting trade-tension effects eased to 27% in June from 32% in May, citing price increases, demand shifts and supply delays.