March retail sales soared by the highest rate on record according to new figures released by Statistics Canada. They actually went up slightly by 0.8 percent, to a combined $69.8 billion. Consumer spending is increasing showing a larger trend across the market. At the same time, core retail sales rose 0.2 percent. The latest data was posted on May 23, 2025, at 9:02 am and last updated at 10:02 am.
Motor vehicle and parts dealers propelled this remarkable expansion. Even better for them, their sales on this category actually soared by 4.8 percent. Employment at new car dealers, in particular, were a strong contributor at 5.2 percent, pointing to improved consumer demand for cars. This sector’s strong performance impacted even more on the total growth in retail sales.
According to the report, sales were up in six of the nine subsectors the report analyzed. In addition, the suppliers of building materials and gardening equipment are thriving. They went out and grew at a whopping 2.6 percent! Clothing retailers got a significant lift from this, with sales increasing by 2.6 percent. This encompasses enterprises specializing in apparel accessories and notions, footwear, jewelry, luggage, and leather handbags.
Retail sales were unusually buoyant in March, surging by 0.9 percent. This increase emphasizes the upbeat story of consumer spending for the month. Overall, the data paints a picture of all-but-impervious sectors thriving even in a cooling economy.
Retail sales are booming, giving an impression that consumers are confident and willing to spend. This pattern holds true despite the specific and immediate difficulties impacting other economic sectors. As Canadians look to future financial decisions and the state of our economy, these figures shed light on what’s happening in today’s market.
