FX.co ★ Canada Retail Sales Growth Cools Slightly in February, Easing From January Peak

Canada’s retail sales growth eased in February 2026, with month‑over‑month gains moderating after a stronger start to the year. According to data updated on 20 March 2026, retail sales rose 0.9% in February compared with the previous month, down from a 1.1% increase recorded in January 2026.

On a month‑over‑month basis, the latest figure shows that while consumer spending continued to expand, the pace of growth has slowed slightly from January’s level. The comparison framework indicates that the “actual” reading reflects February’s change versus January, while the “previous” figure captured January’s change relative to December. Investors and analysts will be watching subsequent releases closely to determine whether February’s softer reading signals the beginning of a broader cooling in consumer demand or merely a modest normalization after a strong January.