FX.co ★ Canada’s Retail Momentum Softens as March Sales Edge Up 0.6% MoM

Canada’s retail sector cooled slightly in March 2026, with sales rising 0.6% month-over-month, down from a 0.7% gain in February. The latest figures, updated on 24 April 2026, point to a modest but still positive pace of consumer spending as the economy moves through the early part of the year.

On a month-over-month basis, the “actual” March reading compares the change in sales from February to March, while the “previous” figure for February reflects the change from January to February. The marginal slowdown suggests that while Canadian consumers are still spending, the pace of retail growth has eased, hinting at a more cautious demand environment heading into the second quarter.