How much are Canadians spending at stores?
Canadian retail spending rose to $16 billion in December 2024, up from $14.5 billion the previous month.
What this measures
Retail trade measures how much Canadians spend at stores, including food, clothing, and household goods. This spending reflects consumer confidence and economic health, which directly impacts jobs and inflation.
Monthly retail spending trends
December 2024 saw a 10.3% jump in retail spending from November, reversing a decline in the previous month. The year-over-year increase of 17.6% suggests stronger consumer demand compared to December 2023. This volatility may reflect seasonal shopping patterns and post-holiday adjustments.
Monthly retail trade ($M)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 20,100,087
View data table (29 values)
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16M | +1.5 |
| 2023 | $14.5M | -0.9 |
| 2022 | $15.4M | -1.4 |
| 2021 | $16.8M | -0.7 |
| 2020 | $17.5M | +3.4 |
| 2019 | $14.1M | -0.9 |
| 2018 | $15M | +0.8 |
| 2017 | $14.2M | +0.4 |
| 2016 | $13.8M | -2.2 |
| 2015 | $16M | +0.5 |
| 2014 | $15.5M | +0.4 |
| 2013 | $15.1M | +1.5 |
| 2012 | $13.6M | -0.4 |
| 2011 | $14M | +0.1 |
| 2010 | $13.9M | +0.7 |
| 2009 | $13.2M | +1.4 |
| 2008 | $11.8M | +0.1 |
| 2007 | $11.7M | +1.4 |
| 2006 | $10.3M | -1.9 |
| 2005 | $12.2M | +0.8 |
| 2004 | $11.4M | +1 |
| 2003 | $10.4M | +0.3 |
| 2002 | $10.1M | -1.4 |
| 2001 | $11.5M | +0.5 |
| 2000 | $11M | +1.2 |
| 1999 | $9.8M | -0.5 |
| 1998 | $10.3M | +0.5 |
| 1997 | $9.8M | +0.3 |
| 1996 | $9.5M |
Annual retail spending trends
Annual retail spending averaged $16 billion in 2024, up from $14.5 billion in 2023 but still below the 2020 peak of $17.5 billion. The decline from 2020 to 2023 aligns with higher interest rates and inflation pressures, while the 2024 rebound suggests cautious recovery.
Annual retail trade ($M)
Source: Statistics Canada, Table 20,100,087
View data table (29 values)
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $16B | +1.5 |
| 2023 | $14.5B | -0.9 |
| 2022 | $15.4B | -1.4 |
| 2021 | $16.8B | -0.7 |
| 2020 | $17.5B | +3.4 |
| 2019 | $14.1B | -0.9 |
| 2018 | $15B | +0.8 |
| 2017 | $14.2B | +0.4 |
| 2016 | $13.8B | -2.2 |
| 2015 | $16B | +0.5 |
| 2014 | $15.5B | +0.4 |
| 2013 | $15.1B | +1.5 |
| 2012 | $13.6B | -0.4 |
| 2011 | $14B | +0.1 |
| 2010 | $13.9B | +0.7 |
| 2009 | $13.2B | +1.4 |
| 2008 | $11.8B | +0.1 |
| 2007 | $11.7B | +1.4 |
| 2006 | $10.3B | -1.9 |
| 2005 | $12.2B | +0.8 |
| 2004 | $11.4B | +1 |
| 2003 | $10.4B | +0.3 |
| 2002 | $10.1B | -1.4 |
| 2001 | $11.5B | +0.5 |
| 2000 | $11B | +1.2 |
| 1999 | $9.8B | -0.5 |
| 1998 | $10.3B | +0.5 |
| 1997 | $9.8B | +0.3 |
| 1996 | $9.5B |
Data sources
Narratives are AI-generated from official Statistics Canada data. Verify at source.