Retail sales reached $59.8 billion in January, an increase of 6.4% compared with the same month one year earlier. Higher sales were reported in all 18 commodity classes.
The largest gain in dollar terms came from motor vehicle sales, which posted a year-over-year increase of 10.3% in January. Growth in this commodity class was mainly driven by higher sales of used motor vehicles (+14.1%), as sales of used minivans, sport utility vehicles and light trucks (+13.8%) led the gains. New motor vehicles posted higher sales in January, increasing by 7.5% from the same month in 2024.
Higher sales of food and beverages (+5.4%) were reported in January 2025. The increase in this commodity class was driven by higher sales of fresh food (+6.3%). The largest increases in dollar terms came from sales of alcoholic beverages (+8.3%), fresh meat and poultry (+9.9%), and eggs and dairy products (+7.1%).
Retail sales of automotive and household fuels grew 5.4% in January. Owing to higher prices seen at the pump, sales of automotive fuels posted a gain of 6.7% compared with the same month one year earlier.
Clothing sales continued to rise into the new year, posting a 10.6% gain in January 2025 compared with January 2024. Sales of women's clothing (+9.5%) led the gains in this commodity class in January 2025, closely followed by men's clothing (+12.8%). Footwear sales grew 7.1%, with the bulk of the gains coming from non-athletic footwear (+8.5%).
The advance estimate provided by the Monthly Retail Trade Survey suggests that unadjusted total retail sales in February 2025 increased by 0.7%. Because of its preliminary nature, this figure will be revised.
Note to readers
The Retail Commodity Survey collects national-level retail sales data, by commodity, from the same businesses surveyed in the Monthly Retail Trade Survey. No data have been seasonally adjusted. All percentage changes are year over year.
New classification standard
As of the January 2023 reference period, Retail Commodity Survey figures are based on the 2022 North American Product Classification System and the North American Industry Classification System structures. These new classification structures have introduced new commodities, updated commodity definitions and broadened the industry scope for the estimates of the Retail Commodity Survey.
Find more statistics on retail trade.
Contact information
------For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).