Canadian retail sales rise 1.2% in August

The key figures

Released on October 23, 2026, Statistics Canada's data for August paint a positive picture of retail trade:

• Total sales reached $74.6 billion, up 1.2% from July.
• In volume terms, which accounts for prices, sales also rose 1.2%.
• Sales increased in all nine subsectors tracked, without exception.
• Core retail sales (excluding gas stations and motor vehicle dealers) rose 1.1%.
• In Quebec, sales reached $16.2 billion, up 0.2%.

Why it matters

A rise in volume means customers are actually buying more, not just paying higher prices. Several everyday sectors moved up: food and beverage (+1.1%), general merchandise (+1.0%) and health and personal care (+1.6%).

E-commerce followed the trend, with $5.6 billion in sales (+1.1%), or 7.6% of the total. For September, Statistics Canada's advance estimate points to another 0.7% increase, a figure that may still be revised.

What it means for businesses in Laval and Montreal

With fall here and the holiday season approaching, foot traffic matters. Businesses that check out customers quickly, accept every payment method and track their sales closely are better positioned to benefit from this demand.

It is also a good time to review your tools: contactless terminal, clear sales reports, inventory management and an online presence to capture the share of purchases made on the web.

Our take at Metalaser

In the field, we see that retailers who prepare their checkout and customer service ahead of busy periods have a smoother season. A line that moves quickly and a frictionless payment often make the difference.