In this edition:
E-commerce sales down almost 25% as customers return to bricks-and-mortar stores
On a seasonally adjusted basis, retail e-commerce sales were down 2.9% in May. Unadjusted, retail e-commerce sales declined 23.5% year over year to $3.5 billion in May, accounting for 4.9% of total retail trade. The share of e-commerce sales out of total retail sales fell 2.5 percentage points compared with May 2021.
Overall, retail sales increased 2.2% to $62.2 billion in May, recording the fifth consecutive increase. Sales were up in 8 of 11 subsectors, representing 86.8% of retail trade. Sales were led by higher sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers.
Core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers—increased 0.6%. Sales at gasoline stations were up 9.2% in May, although sales volume was down 2.2%, reflecting gasoline price increases of 12%.
Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers were up 3.3% in May following three months of declines. The increase was largely the result of higher sales at new car dealers (+3.8%), which recorded its fastest pace of growth since February 2021.
Core retail sales were up 0.6% in May. Leading the increase were higher sales at food and beverage stores (+1.9%). The Consumer Price Index noted that food prices remained elevated in May, up 9.7% from the same month the previous year. Increases in input costs and supply chain disruptions continued to put upward pressure on prices.
Statistics Canada is providing an advance estimate of retail sales in June, which suggests that sales increased 0.3% that month. This figure will be revised as more data become available.
Clash over whether U.S. officers can be armed in Canada keeps Nexus offices closed
A dispute over legal protections for American customs officers has kept Nexus enrolment centres closed in Canada more than three months after they reopened south of the border, due in part to a clash over U.S. agents’ right to carry guns on Canadian soil.
The standoff has led to a massive backlog in applications for the program, which allows pre-approved travellers to cross the border more quickly.
The Canada Border Services Agency says the number of Nexus applications has ballooned from 270,000 in April to more than 341,000 at a time when travel delays are wreaking havoc on passengers’ summer plans.
Applications open for paid officials in municipal election
On Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, Niagara residents will vote to elect the positions of mayor, councillors, regional councillors and school board trustees.
To make sure voting runs smoothly, Niagara Region is calling on residents to work as election officials in a variety of paid positions during the advanced voting period and on Election Day. Working as an election official is a great way to engage with your community.
To find available job opportunities during the election, contact your local area municipality.
Experienced professionals are being recruited to form a roster of eligible members for appointment to the 2022-2026 Niagara Compliance Audit Committee. Further details will be available on the Region’s or Local Area Municipal website or Niagara Votes by the end of July.
Reading Recommendations
Ottawa admits some travellers were incorrectly told to quarantine due to ArriveCAN app glitch
CBC News
Ottawa says that due to a glitch with the ArriveCAN entry app, some travellers who recently entered Canada were sent erroneous notifications instructing them to quarantine.
The admission comes at a time when the federal government is facing mounting pressure from politicians and tourism groups to scrap the COVID-19 screening tool, arguing it impedes tourism and creates headaches for some travellers.
Disclosure: The GNCC is currently engaged in lobbying efforts to have the ArriveCAN app abolished.
Ford adjusts its EV strategy as supply shortages jeopardize sales targets
Financial Post
Ford Motor Co. said it will use lower performance batteries for select models in order to meet its electric-vehicle targets, the latest example of how global ambitions to cut greenhouse gas emissions are colliding with the reality of supply chain constraints.
Through the Daily Updates, the GNCC aims to deliver important business news in a timely manner. We disseminate all news and information we feel will be important to businesses. Inclusion in the Daily Update is not an endorsement by the GNCC.
