Statistics Canada released April retail sales for the country, with cannabis sales increasing from the March levels, up 5.7% to C$466.7 million. March, originally reported at C$428.4 million, was revised higher to C$443.9 million. The sales in April were up 6.6% 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, and it was down somewhat from the December growth of 9.1%. In 2024, total sales increased 4.5% to C$5.39 billion, and they are up 4.3% 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 up 2.8% from March and up 5% from a year ago. Alberta was up 2.5% from March and up 11% from a year ago. British Columbia soared 18.3% from March as it fell 4% from a year ago, while Quebec was up 3.0% from March and up 10% from a year ago.
The May sales data will be released on July 24th.
