Canada’s retail sector lost some momentum in early autumn, with month-over-month sales growth easing in September 2026. According to the latest data updated on 23 October 2026, retail sales rose 0.7% in September on a month-over-month basis, down from a 1.2% increase recorded in August 2026.
The figures indicate that while Canadian consumers continued to spend, the pace of growth moderated heading into the fall. The comparison is based on month-over-month changes, meaning September’s 0.7% rise reflects growth relative to August, while the prior 1.2% figure for August captured the change from July to August. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming releases closely to assess whether this slowdown marks the beginning of a softer consumer trend or a brief pause after a stronger summer performance.