Higher sales at gas stations as prices rise boost retail sales in March

A person fills up their car at a gas station in Montreal on Thursday, March 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales rose 0.9 per cent to $72.7 billion in March as higher gas prices boosted overall sales for the month.

The agency says sales at gas stations and fuel vendors rose 12.4 per cent as the attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel drove oil and gas prices higher. In volume terms, sales for the subsector fell 1.9 per cent for the month.

Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.1 per cent in March.

Sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers fell 2.9 per cent, while general merchandise retailers saw sales slip 0.5 per cent.

Overall retail sales in volume terms fell 0.7 per cent in March.

Looking ahead, Statistics Canada says its preliminary estimate for April suggests retail sales rose 0.6 per cent, though it cautioned the figure will be revised.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 22, 2026.