Canada shopper spending falters as July gross sales decline

By Erik Hertzberg

(Bloomberg) — Canadian retail gross sales are set to say no after a weak second quarter, capturing a slowdown in consumption spending amid elevated commerce uncertainty and slowing inhabitants progress.

An advance estimate suggests receipts for retailers fell 0.8% in July, following June’s 1.5% soar, in response to Statistics Canada knowledge launched Friday.

The June figures matched a median projection in a Bloomberg survey of economists. Retail gross sales rose simply 0.4% within the second quarter, a deceleration from the 1.1% improve within the first three months of the 12 months.

The quarterly retail figures are the weakest for the reason that center of 2024 — underscoring shopper warning within the face of financial and tariff uncertainty. The weak spot additionally seemingly displays a major slowdown in immigration attributable to curbs put in place by the Canadian authorities.

“That is per a typically extra cautious angle amongst customers to spending amid tariff uncertainty significantly in comparison with the stable progress seen throughout the second half of 2024,” Andrew Grantham, an economist with Canadian Imperial Financial institution of Commerce, wrote in a report back to buyers. He added it “isn’t the kind of shopper spending that ought to fear Financial institution of Canada policymakers from an inflation standpoint as they debate whether or not to chop rates of interest additional.” 

The statistics company didn’t present particulars for the July estimate, which relies on responses from 55% of firms surveyed.

June’s improve was pushed by meals, beverage and clothes retailer sectors. Gross sales in all subsectors rose that month.

Excluding autos, gross sales rose 1.9% in June, greater than the median of economist expectations. Core retail gross sales, which exclude gasoline stations and automobile sellers, expanded 0.9% within the second quarter, additionally a deceleration from the 1.8% tempo within the first three months of the 12 months.

In quantity phrases, complete retail gross sales rose 1.5% in June. Gross sales had been up in six of 10 provinces, and retail gross sales in Toronto rose 3.9% on the month.

The information spotlight steadily slowing family consumption amid tariffs and heightened financial uncertainty, regardless of vital rate of interest cuts from the Financial institution of Canada since final June. Policymakers have held borrowing prices at 2.75% for the previous three conferences as they weigh the weakening economic system towards persistently cussed core inflation pressures.

Thus far, injury from the commerce conflict has been restricted to sectors reliant on US demand. The statistics company reported 27% of shops mentioned they had been affected by commerce tensions in June, in contrast with 32% in Might. It says the most typical impacts cited had been “value will increase, change in demand for product and delays within the provide chain.”

–With help from Randy Thanthong-Knight and Mario Baker Ramirez.

©2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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Final modified: August 22, 2025