Consumers in Saskatchewan tapped into their frugal gene last year as we were one of the few provinces that saw a decline in retail sales.
The year-end consumer spending numbers were released yesterday, showing Canadians shelled out almost three per cent more last year than they did in 2022. That gain was not enough to keep up with inflation so we probably cut back in real terms.
Here in Saskatchewan the trend was even more pronounced. Sales at retail outlets fell by seven-tenths of a point last year which was the second-highest contraction in the country behind Manitoba.
But, it turns out, we getting a bit more aggressive as the year progressed. Our spending rose by a full percentage point in the month of December as we closed out the year and the Christmas season with a flourish.
Nationally, the largest decline was in liquor sales, one place where consumers were tightening their discretionary spending. However, that is a bit of a contradiction when you look at where spending went up the most — in luxury items such as jewelry, luggage and leather goods.
