Statistics Canada released December retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the November levels, up 5.3% to C$503.7 million, a new record monthly total. This sequential increase was up 1.9% on a per-day basis more due to the higher number of days than in the prior month. November, originally reported at C$477.9 million, was revised slightly higher to C$478.4 million. The sales in December were up 2.9% from a year ago, down from the level in May at 8.3%, from 7.5% in June and the 6.2% in September. This was also down from the 20.3% August 2023 growth rate and better than the prior lowest annual growth rate since legalization commenced of -0.9% in September 2024 and then -1.6% in October due to the BC strike, and it was down substantially from the December 2024 growth of 9.1%. The prior record level in August was only 1.8% above the year-earlier level. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they were up 4.1% in 2025 to C$5.62 billion.
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 up 6.5% from November but down 4% from a year ago. Alberta was up 5.7% from November but down 1% from a year ago. British Columbia increased by 5.2% from November and by 22% from a year ago, while Quebec was down 1.6% from November and up 10% from a year ago.
The January sales data will be released on March 20th.
