Statistics Canada released February retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales decreasing from the January levels, down 7.6% to C$404.7 million. January, originally reported at C$418.3 million, was revised higher to C$437.9 million. The sales in February were up 0.6% from a year ago. This was down from the 20.3% August 2023 growth rate and below the prior lowest annual growth rate since legalization commenced of -0.9% in September, but it was down sharply from the December growth of 9.1%. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they are up 1.6% 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 8.5% from January and up 9% from a year ago. Alberta, which is the second-largest province, was down 10.1% from January and up 2% from a year ago. Quebec was down 3.1% from January and down 18% from a year ago, while British Columbia was down 3.8% from January as it fell 14% from a year ago. Note that there were substantial revisions to the historical data this month.
The March sales data will be released on May 23rd.
