Consumers flocked to online shopping as pandemic hit, with e-commerce sales up 99%
StatCan says e-commerce sales hit a record $3.9 billion in May
OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says online retail sales doubled as the measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic were enacted.
A new report from the agency found that total retail sales fell by 17.9% as Canadians increasingly sheltered in place between February and May and brick-and-mortar stores closed their doors.
Even so, shoppers rushed to make online purchases, with sales surging 99.3% during the period.
StatCan says e-commerce sales hit a record $3.9 billion in May, a 2.3% increase over April and 99.3% increase over February.
E-commerce sales more than doubled year over year, with a 110.8% increase compared with May 2019.
The report found that all 11 retail subsectors with e-commerce sales saw those sales increase.
From February to April, only the food and beverage subsector saw an increase in in-store sales, which were up 3.3%, and a surge in e-commerce, which was up 107.0%.
In-store sales declined for general merchandise stores, building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers, and health and personal care stores.
