Canadians report consecutive retail sales gains in early 2026

8 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 24

Retail sales rose 0.7% in February and an estimated 0.6% in March, marking the first three-month streak of gains since 2023, according to Statistics Canada.
The rebound signals a 2.1% quarter-over-quarter increase, supporting expectations of modest economic growth after last year's contraction, despite surging fuel prices and ongoing job market concerns.
Economists warn that higher energy costs, driven by Middle East conflict, may soon squeeze household spending and slow growth, while the Bank of Canada is expected to keep interest rates unchanged.

Will soaring oil prices boost Canada's GDP, or will they crush the Canadian consumer first?

Can the Bank of Canada truly ignore the biggest oil supply shock in history?

With record debt, is the Canadian consumer's famed resilience finally about to break?

With immigration slowing, who will fill the jobs in Canada's 'frozen' labor market?

What does the death of the middle-class shopper reveal about Canada's economic divide?

Is the government's fuel tax cut a lifeline for families or a step back on climate goals?