Canada’s retail sales rose 0.7% mom to CAD 72.1B in February, falling short of expectations for a 0.9% increase but still marking a solid gain after recent softness. The advance was relatively broad-based, with sales increasing in seven of nine subsectors.
The main driver came from motor vehicle and parts dealers, where sales rose 1.0% for a second consecutive month. Core retail sales, which exclude autos and fuel, also showed resilience with a 0.6% increase.
Looking ahead, preliminary estimates from Statistics Canada point to a further 0.6% rise in March.
| Indicator | Feb 2026 |
|---|---|
| Retail Sales (MoM) | +0.7% |
| Retail Sales Value | CAD 72.1B |
| Core Retail Sales (MoM) | +0.6% |
| Motor Vehicle & Parts Sales | +1.0% |
| Subsector Performance | 7 of 9 ↑ |
| Advance Estimate (March MoM) | +0.6% |
