Canada's Retail Sales Rise 1.2% in August; Preliminary Estimate Points to 0.7% Gain in September

08:52 AM EDT, 10/23/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Canadian retail sales climbed 1.2% on the month to CA$74.6 billion in August, with all nine subsectors posting gains, according to the country's statistical agency on Friday. August's increase was roughly in line with a 1.3% monthly consensus rise from a Bloomberg survey. Statistics Canada's preliminary estimate suggests sales increased a further 0.7% on the month in September. The estimate reflects responses from 58.5% of surveyed companies, compared with an average final response rate of 86.8% over the past 12 months. Motor vehicle and parts dealers posted the largest subsector gain in August, with sales up 1.2% on the month, wrote StatsCan in a statement. New car dealers led the recovery, recording a 1.5% increase after falling 1.4% in July. Core retail sales excluding fuel stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers increased 1.1% on the month in August, added the Ottawa-based agency. Food and beverage retailers led the gains, with sales rising 1.1% for the first time in three months, as all four store categories within the subsector posted increases. In volume terms, retail sales increased 1.2% on the month in August.