According to a Statistics Canada retail trade report released today, B.C. recorded the fourth highest decline in national retail sales for January. This follows a decrease in December.
In Quebec, retail trade dropped 1%, while Ontario and Alberta had declines of 0.5% for the month.
The lower sales reported in Canada’s four largest provinces represent 85% of total retail sales.
Nationwide, retail sales dropped 0.3% ($37.1 billion) in January, the second decline in two months.
Statistics Canada noted that lower sales at new car dealers were the main contributor to the nationwide decline. Decreases were also seen in sales of furniture, clothing and accessories.
The largest gains were noted in the food and beverage industry, general merchandise stores, and building material and garden equipment suppliers.
Additionally, figures revealed that B.C. experienced the largest drop in retail sales year-over-year compared with any other province.
Sales decreased 1.3% in B.C. from January 2010 to January 2011. This was compared with a national year-over-year increase of 3.5%.