|
|
|
|
Brought to you by |
 |
|
|
|
|
Retailers Welcome Kraft V. Euro Excellence Supreme Court Decision
OTTAWA - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) welcomed the Supreme Court of Canada's decision in the Kraft V. Euro Excellence case, in which a small Quebec importer fought Kraft Canada over the right to import genuine Toblerone and Côte d'Or chocolate bars directly from Europe.
Kraft Canada attempted to use Canadian copyright law in a "strategy" to
"thwart" importation of the genuine products other than through their own
exclusive distribution channel.
RCC urged the Court not to allow copyright law to be used in this manner.
Retailers were concerned that, if Kraft were to prevail, copyright law could
become a tool to restrict competitive parallel importation of an enormous
variety of genuine consumer goods ranging from cameras to clothing to
computers.
"The Supreme Court of Canada decision confirms the right of Canadian
consumers and the retailers who serve them to enjoy access to the best
selection of goods from around the world at competitive prices," states Diane
J. Brisebois, President and CEO, Retail Council of Canada.
"Today's ruling vindicates our belief in free trade and competitive
international markets," adds Brisebois. "We have always believed that the
purpose of copyright law is to reward the actual creators of our cultural
heritage, and not to serve as an artificial barrier to free trade in genuine
and legitimate consumer merchandise in a manner that would raise prices and
restrict choice."
|
IKEA CANADA AIMS TO REDUCE PLASTIC BAG CONSUMPTION BY 50%
Toronto - Canadians take home an estimated 55 million plastic carry out bags a week and IKEA Canada is stepping up to the plate to help reduce plastic bag use in Canada. In its continual efforts towards long term environmental sustainability, IKEA Canada announced today its commitment towards reducing plastic bag consumption at its stores by 50 per cent in the next year. IKEA customers currently use 25 million plastic bags across the country and the goal is to reduce it to 12.5 million by the end of July 2008.
Starting on October 22, 2007, IKEA Canada will begin charging 5¢ for plastic bags. All proceeds from the sale of plastic bags will be donated to IKEA Canada’s long term environmental partner
Tree Canada who will use the funds to plant trees throughout Canada and help offset carbon dioxide emissions.
To help alter customer behavior and endorse environmentally responsible habits, IKEA will continue to sell its iconic reusable ‘Blue Bag’ for $1.
“IKEA Canada sees social and environmental responsibility as a pre-requisite for doing good business,” says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. The plastic bag initiative is one way IKEA is helping to have a positive environmental impact in the areas we do business."
|
Study: Year-end review of retail sales and competition for market share 2006
Statscan - Canada's retailers enjoyed healthy growth rates in all major commodity groups in 2006, and in fact, total sales matched the peak year-over-year gain of the last nine years, according to a new study.
However, retailers, many of whom have been offering increasingly diverse product lines for the past few years, also kept up their fierce competition for the consumer's dollar, even during this good year.
Total retail sales in 2006 increased 6.4% from 2005, identical to the growth rate in 2002, which was the fastest increase since this data series began in 1998. Sales hit $390.6 billion in 2006, the equivalent of $11,974 in spending per Canadian.
The study, published today in the Analysis in Brief series, examined the growth of retail sales by commodity and the competition among retailers for market share, using data from the Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey.
Food stores still dominated sales of food and beverages. However, general merchandise stores fed more Canadians than ever in 2006, drawing valuable market share from supermarkets in the retail sales of food and beverage products.
Food and beverage stores lost ground in the sale of many other commodities in 2006. For example, in the sale of health and personal care products, pharmacies and personal care stores regained in 2006 much of the ground they had lost to food and beverage stores in the last few years.
On the other hand, in the clothing and footwear sector, the market share of general merchandise stores fell about three-quarters of a percentage point during 2006, the equivalent of a $228-million windfall for their competition.
Retail trade activity contributed to the nation's total gross domestic product (GDP). In 2006, the retail sector contributed about 6.0% to GDP. It was the second largest employer in Canada, accounting for 11.0% of total employment, behind the manufacturing sector.
Consumer spending leading contributor to economic growth
Consumer spending was the leading contributor to economic growth in 2006, advancing 4.1%. This growth rate represents the sector's best performance since 1997.
Low interest rates, a strong Canadian dollar, relatively favourable prices for most goods and services, ongoing job creation and a 6.2% increase in disposable income kept consumer confidence levels high in 2006.
Consequently, retail trade, as well as construction, wholesale trade and finance and insurance, were the main sectors contributing to GDP growth in 2006.
The two largest retail trade sectors are food and beverages and automotive, which together account for roughly half of retail sales.
Of every $100 spent in retail stores in 2006, consumers spent about $22 on motor vehicles, parts and services, $22 on food and beverages and $10 on automotive fuels, oils and additives, the three major categories of spending. This compares with only $3 out of every $100 on sporting and leisure goods, and $2 on housewares. Consumers spent about $9 on each of the other commodity categories.
With prices rising again at the pump, consumers likely noticed that they had to continue to budget more on gasoline in 2006. For every $100 spent in retail stores in 2006, consumers spent $3.50 more on automotive fuels, oils and additives than they did in 1998, and $2.50 less on food and beverages.
On a yearly basis, each Canadian spent, on average, $1,144 on automotive fuels, oils and additives, more than double their allocation of $528 only nine years earlier.
Fastest sales gain: hardware, lawn and garden products
Canada's housing boom kept things busy for retailers of building materials in 2006.
In 2006, sales of hardware, lawn and garden products, including lumber and other building materials, posted the fastest growth rate of all commodity groupings. Sales for this group surged 9.9% to $27.3 billion, representing an average of $836 on a per capita basis.
Building and outdoor home suppliers have always dominated in terms of market share in the hardware, lawn and garden products sector. They accounted for over 70% of the market share during the entire period under study despite competition from other retailers.
Between 1998 and 2006, the market share of building and outdoor home suppliers rose from 72.3% to 74.5%. However, the 2006 market share remained virtually unchanged, dropping only a tenth of a percentage point from 2005. Still, this small market share decline between 2005 and 2006 represented an amount of $27 million.
The main losers in this sector were general merchandisers, whose market share fell from 16.1% in 1998 to 14.7% in 2006. This decline occurred mostly in lawn, garden, and patio furniture sales.
General merchandisers feed Canadians more than ever
Food stores still overwhelmingly dominated the sales of food and beverages in 2006. However, general merchandisers have been competing hard with them in the last few years and appear to have made some inroads.
Overall, sales of food and beverages hit a record high $84.3 billion in 2006, up 4.8% from 2005.
Food sales alone, which accounted for almost 73% of this commodity grouping, increased 4.5%, slightly slower than the record pace of 5.1% in 2004.
Each Canadian spent, on average, $1,810 on food in retail stores in 2006, $152 on non-alcoholic beverages, and $527 on alcoholic beverages.
Consumers devoted 7.3% of their disposable income to food purchases in 2006, down one percentage point from 1998.
In 2006, food and beverage stores continued to lose ground to general merchandisers. In 2006 alone, they lost nearly a full percentage point in market share, virtually equivalent to their total loss between 1998 and 2005.
On the other hand, the market share in food and beverage products for general merchandisers rose from 7.4% to 9.6% between 1998 and 2006.
Pharmacies partially regain lost ground in sales of health, personal care products
The trend to diversification in retailing has been evident in the health and personal care products sector in the last few years, with the growing involvement of general merchandisers and food stores in pharmaceutical sales.
Sales of health and personal care products rose 8.1% in 2006 to $33.0 billion, the fastest pace in four years. Retailers registered sales of $21.8 billion in prescription and non-prescription drugs, up 9.5% over 2005.
Between 1998 and 2005, the market share of pharmacies and personal care stores in health and personal care products fell from 70.9% to 66.0%.
However, in 2006, pharmacies and personal care stores partially regained lost ground, as their share rebounded to 67.9% at the expense of food and beverage stores.
General merchandisers, who increased their market share from 13.1% in 1998 to 16.2% in 2005, saw it slip to 15.9% in 2006.
Note to readers
The Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey (QRCS) total sales are benchmarked at the trade group level to the Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS) sales estimates. An exception to this is the general merchandise stores sector, as the QRCS includes the sales of department store concessions while MRTS does not. This situation explains the difference between the total sales estimates published on June 26, 2007, and those in this study.
Readers are cautioned that various types of retail stores may sell a range of goods that extends beyond the broad classifications used for the purpose of this study. As a result, the total value of their sales does not necessarily reflect the value of sales of the principal commodities listed in their classification.
For example, estimates for sales at supermarkets do not necessarily reflect all sales of food in Canada. Other trade groups, such as convenience and specialty food stores and general merchandisers, are also involved in food retailing. They account for at least one-quarter of food sales in retail stores.
At the same time, about one-fifth of sales at supermarkets consist of products other than food and beverages. These include household paper products, toiletries and non-prescription drugs.
|
Retail trade Both Auto and Non-auto sectors continue rebound in May 2007
Retail sales advanced in almost all sectors in May, marking the largest monthly sales increase in almost a decade.
Total retail sales rose 2.8% to an estimated $35.0 billion in May. Gains in seven of eight retail sectors boosted sales, making May the fourth monthly increase in a row for Canadian retailers. The last time sales increased more than 2.8% was December 1997, when sales advanced 3.7%. When sales of new, used and recreational vehicles and parts dealers are excluded, retail sales jumped 2.3%, more than offsetting April's 0.3% decline.
The Quebec public service pay equity settlement was a key factor in May's retail sales. Sales in this province surged 4.9% in May, the strongest monthly sales growth since February 1998. Excluding Quebec, retail sales rose 2.2%.
Sales advanced in all retail sectors in May except in the furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores sector. Retailers in this sector saw sales decline 0.8%, after six consecutive monthly gains.
The automotive sector registered a 4.0% sales increase in May, extending the strong sales performance this sector has experienced in the previous two months.
Sales in several non-auto sectors rebounded from poor performances in April to register strong increases in May, possibly as a result of unseasonably poor weather in April and warmer-than-usual weather in May. After a 3.7% drop in April, sales in the building and outdoor home supplies stores sector soared 6.0%, the largest increase since August 2003. Sales in clothing and accessories stores surged 4.6% after falling 3.1% in April.
Sales at miscellaneous retailers rose 3.7% in May following a 1.8% decline in the April. General merchandise stores' sales were up 3.2%, offsetting the 1.2% decline in April. Prior to April's decline, sales in both of these sectors had risen for four consecutive months.
The 2.5% sales increase at pharmacies and personal care stores in May was the strongest monthly growth for this sector since January 1999, and more than offset the 1.3% decline in April.
Sales in the food and beverage stores sector were also up (+0.2%). Food and beverage stores sales have increased in the past four months, although at a diminishing rate.
Price changes did not have a significant effect on overall retail sales in May as retail sales at constant prices increased by 2.5%, a rate of growth not seen since the 2.9% increase in November 2001.
Automotive sector sales continue to climb for a third consecutive month
Higher sales of recreational vehicles drove sales of used and recreational vehicles and parts dealers up 8.4% in May, the highest growth rate of the last five years. Sales at these dealers have been relatively flat since the first quarter of 2006, following a run-up in sales of mainly recreational vehicles that had started in November 2005.
New car dealers' sales advanced 3.4% in May, extending the strong growth seen in the previous two months. Gains in May put sales back on the upward trend begun in early 2006, after March and April gains offset the large declines experienced in January and February 2007.
Sales at gasoline stations increased by 3.3%, continuing three months of strong gains. According to the Consumer Price Index, the price of gasoline jumped 5.5% in May from April.
Sales in non-auto sectors bounce back from April declines
Within the building and outdoor home supplies stores sector, sales at home centres and hardware stores jumped 6.4% in May, rebounding from a 3.3% decline in April. Unusual weather patterns may have contributed to these fluctuations. Construction activity was also strong in May. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing starts were up 7.5% in May after a moderate increase of 2.2% in April. As well, employment gains in construction were one of the main factors behind the increase in employment in May, according to the Labour Force Survey.
Another retail sector affected by the unusual weather patterns observed this spring is the clothing and accessories stores sector. Clothing stores, the dominant group in this sector, saw sales rise by 5.9% in May, more than offsetting a 3.9% decline in April. Although they have fluctuated since January 2007, sales at these stores have been generally trending up.
Miscellaneous store retailers, such as office supplies and stationery stores, florists and swimming pool retailers, registered a 5.2% sales increase in May, the highest monthly growth rate since October 2003. Despite monthly fluctuations, sales at these stores have been flat since the beginning of 2006. Sales at sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores also increased in May, up 2.2%, almost offsetting April declines.
Widespread gains in all provinces and territories, with Quebec leading the way
Sales gains were observed in all provinces and territories in May. Quebec led the way with an increase of 4.9%, the strongest monthly sales growth since February 1998, when Quebecers recovered from the ice storm. The recent payout of a pay equity settlement to Quebec's public service sector added more fuel to an already growing retail sector. Quebec retailers have been enjoying consecutive monthly sales growth since November 2006 in the midst of historically low unemployment rates and healthy employment gains, especially in full-time employment. Employment growth since the beginning of 2007 in Quebec was 1.3%, above the 0.3% growth for the same period in 2006.
Sales were also up in Alberta (+3.1%) after little change in April. Alberta has experienced enormous growth since 2003, and although the pace of sales growth had slowed in the latter half of 2006, sales appear to be picking up speed again in 2007.
After two months of declines in sales, shoppers in New Brunswick opened their wallets in May, resulting in a 5.4% jump in retail sales. According to the New Motor Vehicles Sales Survey, sales of new motor vehicles in New Brunswick soared 10.1% in May.
Other provinces with strong sales in May were Nova Scotia (+2.7%), Manitoba (+2.4%), Ontario (+1.8%), British Columbia (+1.7%) and Saskatchewan (+1.5%).
The territories posted another month of vigorous sales, up 2.2% after rising 2.7% in April. Sales grew moderately in Prince Edward Island (+1.0%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (+0.8%).
Related indicators for June
Estimates from the Labour Force Survey revealed that employment growth resumed in June, up an estimated 35,000, following little change in April and May.
Based on preliminary sales data from the automotive industry, new motor vehicle sales fell 1% in June.
The seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts declined 4.1% to 225,500 units in June, down from 235,200 units in May, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
| Retail sales |
| |
May 2006 |
February 2007r |
March 2007r |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
April to May 2007 |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
| |
Seasonally adjusted |
| |
$ millions |
% change |
| Automotive |
11,130 |
11,253 |
11,700 |
11,905 |
12,386 |
4.0 |
11.3 |
| New car dealers |
6,073 |
6,097 |
6,412 |
6,546 |
6,772 |
3.4 |
11.5 |
| Used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers |
1,471 |
1,507 |
1,532 |
1,533 |
1,661 |
8.4 |
13.0 |
| Gasoline stations |
3,586 |
3,648 |
3,757 |
3,826 |
3,953 |
3.3 |
10.2 |
| Furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores |
2,270 |
2,435 |
2,469 |
2,503 |
2,482 |
-0.8 |
9.3 |
| Furniture stores |
792 |
829 |
853 |
859 |
852 |
-0.8 |
7.6 |
| Home furnishings stores |
438 |
494 |
490 |
499 |
495 |
-0.8 |
13.0 |
| Computer and software stores |
124 |
126 |
121 |
125 |
123 |
-1.2 |
-0.9 |
| Home electronics and appliance stores |
917 |
985 |
1,005 |
1,020 |
1,012 |
-0.8 |
10.4 |
| Building and outdoor home supplies stores |
2,040 |
2,179 |
2,205 |
2,124 |
2,251 |
6.0 |
10.4 |
| Home centres and hardware stores |
1,659 |
1,759 |
1,781 |
1,721 |
1,831 |
6.4 |
10.4 |
| Specialized building materials and garden stores |
381 |
420 |
424 |
402 |
420 |
4.4 |
10.2 |
| Food and beverage stores |
7,318 |
7,503 |
7,564 |
7,634 |
7,651 |
0.2 |
4.5 |
| Supermarkets |
5,282 |
5,372 |
5,399 |
5,444 |
5,451 |
0.1 |
3.2 |
| Convenience and specialty food stores |
774 |
819 |
841 |
845 |
861 |
2.0 |
11.3 |
| Beer, wine and liquor stores |
1,263 |
1,312 |
1,324 |
1,345 |
1,338 |
-0.5 |
5.9 |
| Pharmacies and personal care stores |
2,161 |
2,329 |
2,343 |
2,313 |
2,371 |
2.5 |
9.7 |
| Clothing and accessories stores |
1,875 |
1,947 |
1,989 |
1,927 |
2,015 |
4.6 |
7.5 |
| Clothing stores |
1,438 |
1,489 |
1,526 |
1,466 |
1,553 |
5.9 |
8.0 |
| Shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores |
437 |
458 |
463 |
461 |
462 |
0.4 |
5.7 |
| General merchandise stores |
3,885 |
3,998 |
4,000 |
3,953 |
4,079 |
3.2 |
5.0 |
| Miscellaneous retailers |
1,697 |
1,735 |
1,766 |
1,735 |
1,798 |
3.7 |
6.0 |
| Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores |
829 |
875 |
892 |
873 |
892 |
2.2 |
7.5 |
| Miscellaneous store retailers |
867 |
860 |
874 |
862 |
907 |
5.2 |
4.5 |
| Total retail sales |
32,376 |
33,380 |
34,036 |
34,093 |
35,033 |
2.8 |
8.2 |
| Total excluding new car dealers, used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers |
24,832 |
25,776 |
26,092 |
26,014 |
26,600 |
2.3 |
7.1 |
| Provinces and territories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
498 |
539 |
542 |
545 |
549 |
0.8 |
10.4 |
| Prince Edward Island |
123 |
132 |
133 |
130 |
131 |
1.0 |
6.2 |
| Nova Scotia |
941 |
961 |
966 |
950 |
976 |
2.7 |
3.7 |
| New Brunswick |
736 |
761 |
759 |
746 |
787 |
5.4 |
6.9 |
| Quebec |
7,210 |
7,403 |
7,464 |
7,559 |
7,926 |
4.9 |
9.9 |
| Ontario |
11,626 |
11,885 |
12,140 |
12,112 |
12,334 |
1.8 |
6.1 |
| Manitoba |
1,082 |
1,132 |
1,159 |
1,152 |
1,180 |
2.4 |
9.1 |
| Saskatchewan |
954 |
992 |
1,052 |
1,052 |
1,067 |
1.5 |
11.9 |
| Alberta |
4,662 |
4,897 |
5,059 |
5,054 |
5,209 |
3.1 |
11.7 |
| British Columbia |
4,435 |
4,557 |
4,645 |
4,673 |
4,752 |
1.7 |
7.1 |
| Yukon |
38 |
43 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
1.9 |
7.2 |
| Northwest Territories |
50 |
55 |
56 |
57 |
58 |
3.0 |
16.9 |
| Nunavut |
21 |
23 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
1.0 |
12.2 |
|
| Retail sales |
| |
May 2006 |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
| |
Unadjusted |
| |
$ millions |
% change |
| Automotive |
12,962 |
12,787 |
14,684 |
13.3 |
| New car dealers |
7,209 |
7,263 |
8,192 |
13.6 |
| Used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers |
1,994 |
1,809 |
2,302 |
15.4 |
| Gasoline stations |
3,759 |
3,715 |
4,190 |
11.5 |
| Furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores |
2,123 |
2,215 |
2,311 |
8.8 |
| Furniture stores |
780 |
808 |
840 |
7.7 |
| Home furnishings stores |
432 |
453 |
487 |
12.7 |
| Computer and software stores |
114 |
113 |
111 |
-2.7 |
| Home electronics and appliance stores |
797 |
841 |
873 |
9.6 |
| Building and outdoor home supplies stores |
2,685 |
2,120 |
2,991 |
11.4 |
| Home centres and hardware stores |
2,144 |
1,727 |
2,380 |
11.0 |
| Specialized building materials and garden stores |
541 |
393 |
611 |
13.0 |
| Food and beverage stores |
7,392 |
7,138 |
7,950 |
7.6 |
| Supermarkets |
5,356 |
5,136 |
5,713 |
6.7 |
| Convenience and specialty food stores |
808 |
828 |
913 |
12.9 |
| Beer, wine and liquor stores |
1,227 |
1,175 |
1,324 |
7.9 |
| Pharmacies and personal care stores |
2,197 |
2,233 |
2,416 |
10.0 |
| Clothing and accessories stores |
1,883 |
1,821 |
2,043 |
8.5 |
| Clothing stores |
1,436 |
1,409 |
1,570 |
9.4 |
| Shoe, clothing accessories and jewellery stores |
448 |
412 |
473 |
5.6 |
| General merchandise stores |
4,021 |
3,712 |
4,283 |
6.5 |
| Miscellaneous retailers |
1,691 |
1,586 |
1,812 |
7.1 |
| Sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores |
771 |
796 |
843 |
9.2 |
| Miscellaneous store retailers |
920 |
790 |
970 |
5.4 |
| Total retail sales |
34,955 |
33,611 |
38,490 |
10.1 |
| Total excluding new car dealers, used and recreational motor vehicle and parts dealers |
25,752 |
24,539 |
27,996 |
8.7 |
| Provinces and territories |
|
|
|
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
540 |
518 |
605 |
12.1 |
| Prince Edward Island |
135 |
121 |
143 |
6.6 |
| Nova Scotia |
1,001 |
911 |
1,054 |
5.3 |
| New Brunswick |
798 |
739 |
862 |
8.0 |
| Quebec |
8,100 |
7,772 |
9,007 |
11.2 |
| Ontario |
12,482 |
11,751 |
13,503 |
8.2 |
| Manitoba |
1,156 |
1,138 |
1,287 |
11.4 |
| Saskatchewan |
1,045 |
1,038 |
1,189 |
13.7 |
| Alberta |
4,976 |
4,977 |
5,672 |
14.0 |
| British Columbia |
4,612 |
4,530 |
5,039 |
9.2 |
| Yukon |
41 |
38 |
46 |
10.5 |
| Northwest Territories |
50 |
55 |
59 |
19.0 |
| Nunavut |
22 |
24 |
24 |
13.0 |
|
|
Wholesale inventories registered a modest decline in May 2007, down 0.8% to $54.2 billion.
Statscan - Following April's sharp decline, wholesale sales posted a modest rebound in May with most sectors registering gains.
Overall sales rose 0.6% to $43.1 billion in May, offsetting some of April's large drop (-3.0%). Five of the seven wholesale sectors reported higher sales in May, with the largest gains observed in the machinery and electronic equipment (+2.1%) and "other products" (+1.9%) sectors. More modest rises were recorded by wholesalers of building materials, personal and household goods and automotive products.
These gains were partially offset by lower sales in the food, beverages and tobacco products sector, which posted its first decline of 2007, and the farm products sector.
Taking price fluctuations into account, the volume of sales in constant dollars rose 1.4 % in May to $44.5 billion.
Machinery and electronic equipment sector recoups most of April loss
Sales in the machinery and electronic equipment sector rose 2.1% in May to $9.1 billion, helping to recoup most of the decline (-2.9%) registered in April. This was the seventh increase in eight months for this sector, although the year-over-year monthly growth rates in the first five months of 2007 have eased somewhat from the double-digit levels recorded during the same period in 2006.
Two of the three trade groups within this sector posted higher sales in May, with the largest increase (+5.1%) coming from the office and professional equipment trade group. This was the third increase in four months for this trade group, which accounts for around a fifth of all sales in the machinery and electronic equipment sector.
The other gain occurred in the machinery and equipment trade group (+2.3%), which only last month recorded its largest monthly decline (-6.0%) in two years. Sales in this trade group have been somewhat volatile of late, as April's reversal followed a large increase in March.
The only negative note came in the computer and other electronic equipment trade group, which posted a slight decline (-0.3%). However, this was only the second decline in eight months for this group, which last year recorded its strongest annual growth since 1999.
Sales of "other products" rise after large decline in April
Sales of "other products" (primarily agricultural products, chemicals, recycled materials and paper products) rose 1.9% to $5.2 billion in May, partially offsetting the large drop (-4.9%) in April.
While the sales trend for this sector has eased somewhat over the past three months, sales in the first five months of 2007 are still well ahead of those in the same period in 2006, the result of stronger sales of agricultural supplies (primarily fertilizers) and recycled materials.
Farm products sector hit by weaker sales of live animals
Wholesalers of farm products posted their largest monthly decline since May 2006 as sales tumbled 7.0% in May to $452 million. This was the second consecutive drop in sales for this sector, reversing all of the increases registered in the first three months of the 2007.
As was the case in April, the decrease was largely attributable to lower sales of live animals, which make up almost half of all sales in this sector. Most of these animals are exported to the United States. In May, exports of live animals fell (-6.6%) for the second consecutive month following a similar decline (-6.5%) in April.
Despite these recent declines, exports of live animals have been gradually increasing as more countries ratify agreements to accept Canadian cattle. According to the latest international trade data, exports of live animals in the first five months of 2007 were around 15% higher than in the same period of 2006.
Food products sector ends a string of four consecutive increases
After starting the year with four consecutive monthly increases, the food, beverages and tobacco products sector registered its first decline in 2007 as sales fell 0.8% to $7.8 billion. The drop was entirely due to lower sales of food products (-1.5%), as sales of alcohol and tobacco rose (+7.4%) in May.
Gains concentrated in Central Canada
Seven of the provinces and territories recorded higher sales in May, with much of the strength concentrated in Central Canada.
Quebec's wholesalers made up some of the ground lost in April, thanks to higher sales of building materials, automotive products and personal and household goods. After falling 2.5% in April, sales rose 1.7% in May to $8.3 billion.
Sales in Ontario rose 0.8% to $21.6 billion, primarily as a result of higher sales in the machinery and electronic equipment sector. The automotive products sector, which had been the major contributor to the large decline (-2.5%) seen in the province in April, registered only a modest increase in May.
In British Columbia, sales rose for the fifth time in six months, up 0.9% in May to $4.3 billion. The province's largest wholesale sector, building materials, was behind most of the gain in May.
The picture was less positive for the rest of Western Canada, as wholesalers in all three Prairie Provinces reported lower sales in May. This was the second straight monthly decline in overall sales for the Prairie Provinces.
Following a major decline (-7.4%) in April, sales in Alberta continued to retreat in May, dropping a further 1.1% to $5.1 billion. Weaker sales of automotive products (mainly heavy trucks) contributed to much of the decline in May. This latest decline pushed monthly sales in Alberta to their lowest level since May 2006. It was also the first month since July 2002 that the province failed to register an increase in its year-over-year monthly growth.
Sales also decreased for the second straight month in Saskatchewan, down 2.4% to $1.3 billion in May, following a 2% decline in April. As was the case in April, lower sales of "other products" (mainly agricultural chemicals) were responsible for most of the drop. Prior to April, sales in the province had risen for five consecutive months.
Sales in the Atlantic Provinces also fell for the second straight month, mostly due to lower sales (-1.8%) in New Brunswick.
Inventories drop for the first time in 2007
Wholesale inventories registered a modest decline in May, down 0.8% to $54.2 billion. This ended a string of four consecutive monthly increases and was primarily attributable to significant drops in motor vehicle (-3.5%), "other products" (-3.8%) and building supplies (-1.4%) inventories.
The decrease in motor vehicle inventories was particularly noteworthy, as it brought inventories in this trade group to a level not seen since November 2005. After hitting an all-time high of $5.3 billion in February, motor vehicle inventories have dropped by about 15%.
May's drop in inventories, combined with a modest increase in sales, pushed the overall inventory-to-stock ratio from 1.28 in April to 1.26 in May. Nevertheless, the ratio remains at a relatively high level when compared with the average of the past three years (1.23). The ratio is a key measure of the time, in months, that would be required to exhaust inventories at the current rate of sales.
| Wholesale merchants' inventories and inventory-to-sales ratio |
| |
May 2006 |
February 2007r |
March 2007r |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
April to May 2007 |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
| |
Wholesale inventories |
Inventory-to-sales ratio |
| |
Seasonally adjusted |
| |
$ millions |
% change |
| |
| Inventories |
50,887 |
54,211 |
54,318 |
54,672 |
54,242 |
-0.8 |
6.6 |
1.28 |
1.26 |
| Farm products |
168 |
182 |
184 |
184 |
188 |
2.4 |
11.9 |
0.38 |
0.42 |
| Food products |
4,317 |
4,311 |
4,439 |
4,546 |
4,598 |
1.2 |
6.5 |
0.63 |
0.64 |
| Alcohol and tobacco |
289 |
294 |
300 |
313 |
314 |
0.4 |
8.5 |
0.51 |
0.48 |
| Apparel |
1,625 |
1,664 |
1,649 |
1,682 |
1,683 |
0.0 |
3.5 |
2.22 |
2.38 |
| Household and personal products |
3,948 |
3,815 |
3,822 |
3,888 |
3,917 |
0.8 |
-0.8 |
1.42 |
1.40 |
| Pharmaceuticals |
3,128 |
3,251 |
3,433 |
3,505 |
3,484 |
-0.6 |
11.4 |
1.23 |
1.22 |
| Motor vehicles |
4,836 |
5,348 |
4,787 |
4,627 |
4,466 |
-3.5 |
-7.6 |
0.73 |
0.70 |
| Motor vehicle parts and accessories |
3,170 |
3,382 |
3,377 |
3,328 |
3,294 |
-1.0 |
3.9 |
2.14 |
2.11 |
| Building supplies |
5,503 |
5,815 |
5,850 |
5,872 |
5,791 |
-1.4 |
5.2 |
1.58 |
1.57 |
| Metal products |
2,681 |
2,988 |
2,981 |
3,036 |
3,042 |
0.2 |
13.5 |
2.21 |
2.19 |
| Lumber and millwork |
1,056 |
1,160 |
1,155 |
1,133 |
1,112 |
-1.8 |
5.3 |
1.06 |
1.01 |
| Machinery and equipment |
10,265 |
11,541 |
11,683 |
11,729 |
11,774 |
0.4 |
14.7 |
2.82 |
2.77 |
| Computer and other electronic equipment |
1,564 |
1,695 |
1,734 |
1,774 |
1,795 |
1.2 |
14.8 |
0.65 |
0.66 |
| Office and professional equipment |
2,483 |
2,625 |
2,623 |
2,662 |
2,630 |
-1.2 |
5.9 |
1.32 |
1.24 |
| Other products |
5,852 |
6,140 |
6,301 |
6,393 |
6,152 |
-3.8 |
5.1 |
1.25 |
1.18 |
|
| Wholesale merchants' sales |
| |
May 2006 |
February 2007r |
March 2007r |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
April to May 2007 |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
| |
Seasonally adjusted |
| |
$ millions |
% change |
| Total, wholesale sales |
41,365 |
43,103 |
44,106 |
42,805 |
43,062 |
0.6 |
4.1 |
| Farm products |
378 |
470 |
505 |
486 |
452 |
-7.0 |
19.5 |
| Food, beverages and tobacco products |
7,600 |
7,766 |
7,825 |
7,885 |
7,819 |
-0.8 |
2.9 |
| Food products |
6,940 |
7,147 |
7,204 |
7,272 |
7,160 |
-1.5 |
3.2 |
| Alcohol and tobacco |
660 |
618 |
621 |
613 |
658 |
7.4 |
-0.3 |
| Personal and household goods |
6,006 |
6,342 |
6,308 |
6,357 |
6,379 |
0.3 |
6.2 |
| Apparel |
768 |
786 |
776 |
759 |
707 |
-6.8 |
-7.9 |
| Household and personal products |
2,603 |
2,717 |
2,712 |
2,743 |
2,807 |
2.3 |
7.8 |
| Pharmaceuticals |
2,635 |
2,838 |
2,819 |
2,855 |
2,865 |
0.4 |
8.7 |
| Automotive products |
7,888 |
8,147 |
8,695 |
7,939 |
7,957 |
0.2 |
0.9 |
| Motor vehicles |
6,324 |
6,591 |
7,127 |
6,381 |
6,395 |
0.2 |
1.1 |
| Motor vehicle parts and accessories |
1,563 |
1,556 |
1,568 |
1,558 |
1,562 |
0.3 |
-0.1 |
| Building materials |
5,900 |
6,098 |
6,273 |
6,162 |
6,191 |
0.5 |
4.9 |
| Building supplies |
3,549 |
3,667 |
3,780 |
3,727 |
3,698 |
-0.8 |
4.2 |
| Metal products |
1,281 |
1,361 |
1,418 |
1,372 |
1,391 |
1.4 |
8.6 |
| Lumber and millwork |
1,069 |
1,069 |
1,076 |
1,064 |
1,102 |
3.6 |
3.1 |
| Machinery and electronic equipment |
8,708 |
8,946 |
9,140 |
8,876 |
9,066 |
2.1 |
4.1 |
| Machinery and equipment |
4,091 |
4,166 |
4,417 |
4,152 |
4,247 |
2.3 |
3.8 |
| Computer and other electronic equipment |
2,650 |
2,779 |
2,707 |
2,710 |
2,702 |
-0.3 |
2.0 |
| Office and professional equipment |
1,967 |
2,000 |
2,016 |
2,014 |
2,117 |
5.1 |
7.6 |
| Other products |
4,886 |
5,335 |
5,360 |
5,100 |
5,199 |
1.9 |
6.4 |
| Total, excluding automobiles |
33,478 |
34,956 |
35,412 |
34,866 |
35,105 |
0.7 |
4.9 |
| Sales, province and territory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
227 |
243 |
267 |
249 |
251 |
1.1 |
10.8 |
| Prince Edward Island |
42 |
40 |
42 |
43 |
41 |
-5.6 |
-3.8 |
| Nova Scotia |
547 |
560 |
576 |
559 |
558 |
-0.2 |
2.0 |
| New Brunswick |
409 |
431 |
427 |
438 |
430 |
-1.8 |
5.2 |
| Quebec |
7,774 |
8,092 |
8,384 |
8,172 |
8,312 |
1.7 |
6.9 |
| Ontario |
20,945 |
21,593 |
22,002 |
21,452 |
21,623 |
0.8 |
3.2 |
| Manitoba |
998 |
1,044 |
1,042 |
1,056 |
1,049 |
-0.6 |
5.2 |
| Saskatchewan |
1,115 |
1,290 |
1,366 |
1,339 |
1,307 |
-2.4 |
17.3 |
| Alberta |
5,101 |
5,380 |
5,568 |
5,158 |
5,101 |
-1.1 |
0.0 |
| British Columbia |
4,180 |
4,391 |
4,393 |
4,308 |
4,346 |
0.9 |
4.0 |
| Yukon |
9 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
12 |
40.8 |
35.2 |
| Northwest Territories |
18 |
22 |
25 |
21 |
29 |
41.9 |
63.8 |
| Nunavut |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
7.6 |
9.9 |
|
|
Chase Paymentech Provides Tim Hortons Enhanced Speed and Convenience with Point of Sale Payment Acceptance
Chase Paymentech Will Enable More Than 2,000 Tim Hortons Stores in Canada
to Accept MasterCard PayPass(R) and Support Quick Payment Service
TORONTO - When customers step up to the front counter or pull up to the 24-hour drive-thru window at their local Tim Hortons, they will enjoy the convenience of paying with their MasterCard(R) card through the introduction of Chase Paymentech-powered services to be rolled out at more than 2,200 Canadian locations by September 2007.
Tim Hortons is introducing the latest payment solutions from Chase
Paymentech as a means to provide payment convenience to consumers. Research
indicates that nearly half of adult consumers carry $20 or less in their
wallet and that 86 percent want to make cashless transactions more frequently.
Tim Hortons will also feature Chase Paymentech's payment solutions
equipped with MasterCard PayPass card readers at the drive-thru and inside the
store. These point-of-sale terminals will accept the newest contactless
payment cards, along with conventional swipe cards from MasterCard.
Contactless credit cards contain radio frequency technology to transmit
payment details to the merchant's terminal, replacing the magnetic stripe and
the need for consumers to swipe the card. Merchants accepting contactless
technology are able to accept and process payments quicker, making contactless
ideal for the quick service restaurant industry.
"Our customers expect fast, convenient service," said Paul House,
president and chief executive officer, Tim Hortons. "Providing them with the
ability to just 'tap-n-go' when buying their coffee and food delivers on our
commitment to provide customers with the best quality and convenience in the
market."
"Chase Paymentech's complete and flexible payment processing solutions,
including contactless readers, offer merchants like Tim Hortons significant
opportunities to improve cash management and satisfy customers," said Sam
Jawad, president, Chase Paymentech Solutions, Canada. "Today's consumer
expects to be able to pay the way they want - and assumes that today's point
of sale experience will be fast, reliable and secure. Contactless payments
take this expectation to the next level. Chase Paymentech's proprietary
platform for Tim Hortons makes use of the latest technology in the industry to
meet these expectations today and deliver scalability for future growth."
|
Wal-Mart Canada's Corporate Values Report an open book
First complete record of Wal-Mart Canada's practices and goals related to
employment, community involvement, ethical sourcing, environmental
sustainability and more
MISSISSAUGA - Wal-Mart Canada has published its first-ever Corporate Values Report. The 60-page document outlines the company's vast social responsibility platform, covering many of the topics Canadians find most intriguing about the company. The report includes descriptions and statistics related to Wal-Mart's efforts to remain a favourite employer, to source merchandise ethically, to invest in Canada and contribute to local communities, and to provide corporate leadership in environmental sustainability.
"There is an enormous amount of interest in our company," said Mario
Pilozzi, President and CEO, Wal-Mart Canada Corp. "Our Corporate Values Report
is an open book - the most comprehensive first-hand account of topics linked
to the continued success of our business and our people, as well as the social
responsibility of our company."
In 2006 Wal-Mart Canada established a corporate social responsibility
(CSR) task force, involving all senior executives, and hired a CSR director.
The Corporate Values Report is a major step in Wal-Mart Canada's commitment to
document its CSR progress. The report, and a related public feedback
mechanism, is available online at www.wal-mart.ca.
"Wal-Mart is built on a culture of continuous improvement," said John
Lawrence, Wal-Mart Canada's director of corporate social responsibility. "With
this report we've opened ourselves to public review because while we're making
progress on many fronts, we know we're not perfect. There is compelling
dialogue and change occurring within our business that can only benefit from
public and expert feedback."
The company anticipates the report, which will be published annually,
will find an audience among those who most frequently inquire about the
company - from its own associates and suppliers, to NGOs and government of all
levels, to business school students and public school teachers.
The report outlines Wal-Mart Canada's commitments, 2006 achievements and
future goals in five categories, listed below, including the following
highlights, unknown to most Canadians.
Investment in Canada: For each new store, Wal-Mart Canada invests
approximately $20 million into the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs.
Through new stores alone, Wal-Mart has invested nearly $4 billion and created
more than 55,000 new Canadian jobs since 1994, making it one of Canada's
largest employers. In 2006, the company created 6,000 jobs and, looking
forward, will invest approximately half-a-billion dollars this year for new
stores nationwide. At the same time, the company sources most of its products
and services from Canadian companies, and last year did approximately
$11 billion of business with more than 7,000 Canadian suppliers. By
illustrating how the company builds stores, stocks its shelves, and hires
individuals reflective of Canada's diverse communities, the Corporate Values
Report outlines how Wal-Mart is investing in Canada one "Store of the
Community" at a time.
Investment in People: Wal-Mart Canada's associate-retention rate is about
15 per cent better than the industry average, but the competition for retail
talent remains tight. This year, Wal-Mart made "being Canada's favourite place
to work" its number-one corporate imperative, pioneering various programs
building on the respect, diversity, open communication and excellence required
to engage a workforce of more than 70,000 Canadians. As a result, the company
has been named one of Canada's top 50 best places to work (Hewitt Associates);
most respected corporations (KPMG); most admired corporate cultures
(Waterstone Human Capital); and diverse employer of the year (JVS). The
Corporate Values Report details Wal-Mart's plan to remain a favourite retail
employer, itemizes associate benefits and rewards, and looks at exciting new
programs like the ongoing formation of the company's first Diversity Council.
Environmental Sustainability: While Wal-Mart Canada has always aimed to
meet environmental standards, in 2006 it turned its focus to demonstrating
environmental leadership through new and vastly improved environmental
sustainability programs. Last year the company announced three aggressive
goals: 1. To be supplied 100 per cent by renewable energy; 2. To produce zero
waste; and, 3. To sell products that conserve resources and protect the
environment. In 2006, the company kept 120 tonnes of waste from landfills,
enough renewable energy to power approximately 12 stores, and made a
$2.5 million commitment to bring green space to numerous Canadian communities.
These and other future programs - including packaging reduction,
energy-reduction strategies, and green product rollouts - are outlined in the
Corporate Values Report.
Ethical Sourcing: Wal-Mart owns no factories and relies entirely on
suppliers for the products it sells. As such, the company has rigorous
standards for its large and complex supplier base, applicable to factories all
over the world. The standards dictate working conditions, labour and human
rights practices, and environmental safeguards, among many other criteria. In
addition to training factory management on supplier standards, Wal-Mart also
conducts announced and unannounced factory audits to ensure they are enforced.
In 2006, Wal-Mart introduced expanded audit programs for categories such as
fashion, sporting goods and toys, and initiated a greater proportion of
unannounced factory audits. The Corporate Values Report details the company's
audit methodology, factory rating systems, and future plans including the
introduction of environmental standards for supplier factories.
Community Involvement: Wal-Mart Canada raises and donates nearly $300,000
every week to community groups and charitable organizations. Nationally, the
company has become Canada's number-one supporter of Children's Miracle
Network, Breakfast Clubs of Canada, and Canadian Red Cross. Locally, with
"matching grants" from the company, each Wal-Mart store is empowered and
required to support programs that are meaningful to local associates and
customers. The result is that thousands of organizations throughout the year -
from sports teams to women's shelters - receive Wal-Mart's support through
time, marketing, and money. The Corporate Values Report outlines specific
programs and the company's plans to increase its support for local causes,
expand its signature charity event, the Wal-Mart Walk for Miracles, and grow
long-term partnerships like its recently announced $1 million support for the
Juno Beach WW II Memorial and Information Centre.
|
Health and Personal Care Products Increased At Their Fastest Pace First quarter 2007
Statscan - Retail sales of health and personal care products increased at their fastest pace in nearly five years in the first quarter of 2007, according to new data from the Quarterly Retail Commodity Survey.
In total, retailers sold $87.4 billion of goods and services in retail stores between January and March 2007, up 6.3% from the same three months in 2006.
Of this total, $8.5 billion represented health and personal care products, up 11.3%. This was the fastest rate of growth for this group of commodities since the gain of 11.9% posted in the second quarter of 2002.
Sales of health and personal care products also grew at the fastest rate of all commodity groups during the first quarter of 2007, thanks to strong sales of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and herbal remedies.
Retailers sold $4.7 billion of prescription drugs, up 14.0%, and $1.1 billion of non-prescription drugs, up 12.7%. Prices for prescription drugs slipped 0.3% on a year-over-year basis during this quarter, while prices for non-prescription drugs fell 0.4%.
As usual, the majority of the retail dollar was spent on food, cars and fuel. Of every $100 spent in retail stores, $22.8 went to food and beverages, $21.8 to motor vehicles, parts and services, and $10.2 to automotive fuels, oils and additives.
Food and beverages sales totalled $19.9 billion, an increase of 5.9% from the first quarter of 2006. All three major components recorded strong increases: food (+5.6%), non-alcoholic beverages (+4.5%) and alcoholic beverages (+7.4%).
Sales of motor vehicles, parts and services increased 5.8% to $19.1 billion.
The value of new light trucks, vans, minivans and sport-utility vehicles sold rose 7.2%, while sales of used autos rose 12.5%. Both continued upward trends for the third consecutive quarter. However, the value of new cars sold fell for the second consecutive quarter, dropping 2.3%.
Drivers spent $8.9 billion on automotive fuels, oils and additives during the first quarter, up 8.8% from the first quarter of 2006.
First-quarter spending in the housing market moderated slightly. Sales of hardware, lawn and garden products totalled $4.9 billion, an increase of 7.8% from a year earlier. Sales of lumber and other building materials rose 7.0%, the slowest pace since the first quarter of 2005.
Canadian retailers saw a 7.2% gain in sales of furniture and home furnishing products, which increased to $8.2 billion. Sales of indoor furniture, which represents 24% of this commodity grouping, rose 6.8%.
Sales of clothing, footwear and accessories posted a strong increase of 6.7% to $6.3 billion.
Within this commodity grouping, sales of clothing and accessories rose 7.4% and sales of footwear increased 6.0%, while sales of luggage and jewellery rose only 2.9%, the slowest pace in a year.
Elsewhere, sales of sporting and leisure goods amounted to $2.7 billion, up 5.9%.
Sales of tobacco products and supplies slipped 2.5%, while cigarette prices rose 4.0%. The decline in sales continued a downward trend observed since the third quarter of 2004.
Note: Starting this quarter, retail commodity sales by retail trade sector based on the North American Industry Classification System are available on CANSIM (table 080-0018).
Retail commodity sales estimates are normally revised every year. With the release of estimates for the first quarter of 2007, estimates in current dollars have been revised back to the first quarter of 2005.
Factors influencing revisions include late receipt of respondent information, correction of information on data provided, the replacement of estimates with actual values (once available) and the re-classification of companies within, into and out of the retail trade industry.
|
May 2007 New motor vehicle sales 7.5% higher than they were a year earlier
New motor vehicle sales declined 0.8% nationally in May, with five provinces recording increases and five reporting decreases. Seasonally adjusted data from the New Motor Vehicle Sales Survey put the level of sales at 145,496 units. The decline in May was not strong enough to offset the 6.3% increase in April, and May sales were 7.5% higher than they were a year earlier.
Overall, the decline in May was entirely due to passenger cars, as sales of trucks (which include minivans, sport-utility vehicles, light and heavy trucks, vans and buses) posted an increase.
Preliminary data from the automotive industry indicate that sales fell 1% in June.
North American-built passenger cars edge down
Passenger car sales were down almost 2,000, or 2.5%, units in May. The sales level of 73,354 units was still the second highest recorded this year as the first three months of 2007 were relatively flat before the increase in April.
The decline in passenger car sales was driven by a 5.6% drop in the number of North American-built units sold. Slightly offsetting this decline was a 3.3% increase in sales of overseas-built models, after almost no change was recorded in April. So far in 2007, only April has seen an increase in sales of North American-built cars, while overseas-built cars have recorded increases in three of the first five months.
Sales of trucks grew 1.0% in May and remained above the 70,000 mark, as in April. This was only the second time since the beginning of the series in 1946 that the number of trucks sold rose above 70,000 for two consecutive months. The last time this occurred was in December 2006 and January 2007.
Sales of new motor vehicles were volatile across provinces
Of the four provinces with the highest sales, only Quebec posted an increase in May, its sales rising 3.9 % to 37,283 units. After a strong showing in April, gains in Quebec have more than offset the declines observed in the first three months of 2007.
Sales in Ontario declined 3.2% to 51,970, giving back some of the gains made in April. New motor vehicle sales in Ontario have declined in four of the first five months of 2007.
Both Alberta (-0.4%) and British Columbia (-2.4%) experienced declines in May, with new motor vehicle sales in Alberta falling to 21,323 units and British Columbia sales decreasing to 17,274.
The provinces with the largest and smallest percentage changes were both in Eastern Canada, as sales in New Brunswick increased 10.1% while those in Nova Scotia declined 14.2%. The increase in New Brunswick came after small changes in March and April and completely offset a decrease posted in February. The decline in Nova Scotia completely neutralized gains from the previous month.
| New motor vehicle sales |
| |
May 2006 |
April 2007r |
May 2007p |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
April to May 2007 |
| |
Seasonally adjusted |
| |
number of vehicles |
% change |
| New motor vehicles |
135,357 |
146,670 |
145,496 |
7.5 |
-0.8 |
| Passenger cars |
69,888 |
75,268 |
73,354 |
5.0 |
-2.5 |
| North American1 |
45,715 |
49,308 |
46,552 |
1.8 |
-5.6 |
| Overseas |
24,173 |
25,959 |
26,803 |
10.9 |
3.3 |
| Trucks, vans and buses |
65,470 |
71,402 |
72,142 |
10.2 |
1.0 |
| New motor vehicles |
|
|
|
|
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
1,918 |
2,407 |
2,417 |
26.0 |
0.4 |
| Prince Edward Island |
409 |
463 |
472 |
15.4 |
1.9 |
| Nova Scotia |
3,622 |
4,314 |
3,700 |
2.2 |
-14.2 |
| New Brunswick |
2,778 |
2,942 |
3,238 |
16.6 |
10.1 |
| Quebec |
32,867 |
35,881 |
37,283 |
13.4 |
3.9 |
| Ontario |
50,460 |
53,662 |
51,970 |
3.0 |
-3.2 |
| Manitoba |
3,620 |
4,134 |
3,882 |
7.2 |
-6.1 |
| Saskatchewan |
3,387 |
3,748 |
3,936 |
16.2 |
5.0 |
| Alberta |
20,411 |
21,411 |
21,323 |
4.5 |
-0.4 |
| British Columbia2 |
15,885 |
17,707 |
17,274 |
8.7 |
-2.4 |
| |
May 2006 |
April 2007 |
May 2007p |
May 2006 to May 2007 |
|
| |
Unadjusted |
|
| |
number of vehicles |
% change |
|
| New motor vehicles |
173,291 |
172,428 |
189,039 |
9.1 |
|
| Passenger cars |
96,175 |
92,446 |
102,564 |
6.6 |
|
| North American1 |
64,032 |
60,392 |
65,400 |
2.1 |
|
| Overseas |
32,143 |
32,054 |
37,164 |
15.6 |
|
| Trucks, vans and buses |
77,116 |
79,982 |
86,475 |
12.1 |
|
| New motor vehicles |
|
|
|
|
|
| Newfoundland and Labrador |
2,839 |
3,176 |
3,684 |
29.8 |
|
| Prince Edward Island |
540 |
531 |
638 |
18.1 |
|
| Nova Scotia |
5,332 |
5,531 |
5,353 |
0.4 |
|
| New Brunswick |
3,729 |
3,637 |
4,538 |
21.7 |
|
| Quebec |
44,269 |
46,524 |
52,143 |
17.8 |
|
| Ontario |
63,276 |
61,256 |
65,218 |
3.1 |
|
| Manitoba |
4,479 |
4,713 |
4,698 |
4.9 |
|
| Saskatchewan |
3,849 |
4,261 |
4,624 |
20.1 |
|
| Alberta |
25,907 |
23,761 |
26,945 |
4.0 |
|
| British Columbia2 |
19,071 |
19,038 |
21,198 |
11.2 |
|
| r | revised |
| p | preliminary |
| 1. | Manufactured or assembled in Canada, the United States or Mexico . |
| 2. | Includes Yukon , the Northwest Territories and Nunavut . |
|
|
Canadians Buy Cars From U.S. In Record Numbers
TORONTO - With the Canadian dollar hovering around the 94 cent mark, Canadians are buying up cars from the United States in record numbers. Last year, Canadians imported 112,826 vehicles from the United States, an increase of 55 per cent from the previous year.
Canadians buy American cars for two primary reasons. Thanks to favorable
exchange rates, consumers have discovered that vehicles imported from the
United States are generally less expensive than identical cars in Canada.
People can also buy vehicles that are not otherwise available in Canada.
"A real niche industry has been created," says Brian Osler, President of
the North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA), the Ontario based
not-for-profit association of dealers specializing in cross-border sales.
"Canadian dealers that import from the United States are able to provide their
customers with a real buying advantage that they can't get anywhere else."
Part of the growth comes from consumer awareness and education. As people
have become aware of the savings and increased product choice, they are
specifically asking for American imports.
"The advantages of buying U.S. cars right now are endless," says Stephen
Bulyovsky, co-owner of Canadian Auto Associates Ltd., a vehicle dealer
specializing in cross-border sales in Guelph, Ontario. "A 10 per cent price
difference between countries may not seem like a lot, but on a $100,000
Porsche, that is a $10,000 savings. That's attractive mathematics to anyone
buying a car."
The big excitement for car enthusiasts is the increase in product choice.
Some options and even an entire vehicle brand are not available in Canada.
Sometimes a vehicle becomes a hot-seller and there is not enough supply for
the market. Canadians who are aware they can buy American imports are able to
purchase these vehicles.
Toyota does not yet market the Scion brand in Canada. Consumers in Canada
can only buy these vehicles from dealers that import from the United States.
"It's pretty cool to own a car that no one else has," acknowledges Mr.
Bulyovsky. "We've sold more than 100 Scions to Canadians so far and are having
a hard time keeping up with the demand."
|
March Networks Wins Deal with Major U.S.-Based Retailer
OTTAWA - March Networks(TM), a leading provider of IP-based video surveillance solutions, announced today that a major U.S. retailer has selected its digital video software and systems as the preferred solution for the company's new and retrofit store builds in the U.S.
The retailer, whose operations include international locations and more
than 5,000 sites across | |
