Statistics Canada released October retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the very weak September levels, up 2.4% to C$448.6 million. September was revised lower to C$438.0 million. The sales, which fell 0.9% on a per-day basis, were up 15.0% from a year ago, down from the 19.8% August growth rate and up from the 11.7% September growth rate. In 2022, total sales increased 17.9% to C$4.52 billion, and they have increased 13.7% during the first ten months of 2023.
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 1.3% from September and up 16% from a year ago. Alberta, which is the second-largest province, was up very slightly fromm September and up 8% from a year ago. Quebec was up 7.7% from September and up 15% from a year ago, while British Columbia was up 0.8% from September as it advanced 22% from a year ago.
Hifyre IQ had forecast October sales at C$448.0 million based upon its data, so this was slightly below the estimate. The data analytics provider has been estimating November sales to be 5.2% lower, which would be 5.3% below the actual actual October level and up 13.5% from a year ago, based upon its data. Hifyre estimates sales outside of flower and pre-rolls at 30.2% in October and 30.8% in November.
The November sales data will be released on January 19th.
