OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.7 per cent to $73.7 billion in July as sales at general merchandise retailers slowed. However, the agency says its early estimate for August pointed to a gain of 1.3 per cent for that month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised. For July, sales at general merchandise retailers fell 1.9 per cent after increasing 2.5 per cent in June. Sales at clothing, clothing accessories, shoes, jewelry, luggage and leather goods retailers also fell 1.2 per cent in July, while sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers gained 0.8 per cent. Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were down 0.7 per cent in July. In volume terms, retail sales fell 1.1 per cent. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2026.
