Statistics Canada released July retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the June levels, up 1.0% to C$485.0 million. This sequential growth was down on a per-day basis due to the extra day in the prior month. June, originally reported at C$480.2 million, was revised slightly higher to C$480.3 million. The sales in July were up 1.4% from a year ago, down from the level in May at 8.3% and from 7.5% in June. This was also down from the 20.3% August 2023 growth rate and above the prior lowest annual growth rate since legalization commenced of -0.9% in September 2024, and it was down substantially from the December growth of 9.1%. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they are up 4.9% so far in 2025.
An increase in the number of stores as well as falling flower prices that bring consumers from the illicit market have been boosting sales. In Ontario, the largest province in population, sales were down 1.0% from June and down 2% from a year ago. Alberta was up 1.4% from June and up 7% from a year ago. British Columbia fell 4.6% from June as it decreased 7% from a year ago, while Quebec was up 6.6% from June and up 12% from a year ago.
The August sales data will be released on October 22nd.
