“Alberta retail sales grow more than 13% in 2021,” says a new CBC news article.
But despite overall growth, retail sales were down in December, compared with the previous year.
Alberta Central’s Chief Economist, Charles St-Arnaud, said flooding in B.C. and a rising wave of Omicron infections affected spending in December, but noted it’s important to look at the bigger picture. He expects a shift in the spending habits of Canadians as there are further lifting of restrictions in 2022.
And for more information on the spending patterns, expected economic recovery for Alberta and more, read the 2022 Alberta Central Economic Outlook here.