Retail sales totalled about $7.8 billion in 2011, representing an increase of 5.1% over 2010.
Growth in sales was recorded in most store types. Gasoline Stations was the largest contributor to gains on an annual basis (up $145.7 millionor 14.4%) followed by Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers (up $80.2 million or 4.7%). The increase in sales at Gasoline Stations was mainly due to higher gasoline prices (up 16.6%). A significant increase in the value of sales was also recorded by General Merchandise Stores (up $48.8 million or 4.1%) and Food and Beverage Stores (up $55.4 million or 3.1%). The increase in sales in Food and Beverage Stores was partially due to higher food prices (up 3.6%).
For Canada as a whole, retail sales increased by 3.6% in 2011.
According to the Department of Finance’s November 2011 forecast, retail sales are expected to grow by 4.7% in 2012.
| Retail Sales by Industry | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Retail Sales Trade Group ($ millions) | 2010 | 2011 | Actual Change | Percent Change |
| Stores | ||||
| Automotive | 2,722.8 | 2,948.7 | 225.9 | 8.3% |
| Motor vehicle and parts dealers(1) | 1,713.1 | 1,793.3 | 80.2 | 4.7% |
| Gasoline stations | 1,009.7 | 1,155.4 | 145.7 | 14.4% |
| Furniture, home furnishings and electronics | 288.6 | 302.9 | 14.2 | 4.9% |
| Building and outdoor home supplies | 541.0 | 548.0 | 7.0 | 1.3% |
| Health and personal care | 453.2 | 476.3 | 23.1 | 5.1% |
| Clothing and accessories | 263.5 | 272.7 | 9.1 | 3.5% |
| Sporting goods, hobby, music and bookstores | 113.5 | 115.3 | 1.8 | 1.6% |
| Food and beverage stores | 1,765.6 | 1,820.9 | 55.4 | 3.1% |
| Other stores (2) | 1,301.0 | 1,348.0 | 46.9 | 3.6% | TOTAL | 7,449.3 | 7,832.7 | 383.4 | 5.1% |
Source: Statistics Canada (1) The motor vehicle figure displayed here includes some used car sales, as well as parts and service labour, and are higher than those appearing in the Car Sales Bulletin. (2) Other stores include miscellaneous stores and general merchandise stores. |
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Statistical Reference: Statistics used in this analysis were the latest available at the time of writing. For the latest in retail trade statistics visit the Newfoundland & Labrador Statistics Agency site and check the release dates on Statistics Canada site.