Statistics Canada recently released retail trade figures for May 2024, which placed Saskatchewan first in the nation for year-over-year growth. The province’s retail trade sales increased by 6.1 per cent, totalling $2.2 billion in May 2024 (seasonally adjusted), compared to May 2023. The Monthly Retail Trade Survey compiles data on sales, including e-commerce sales, and the amount of retail locations by province, territory, and selected census metropolitan areas from a sample of retailers. Retail sales is a measure of total receipts at stores, or establishments, that sell goods and services to final consumers.

The provincial economy continues to see substantial growth. Saskatchewan currently has the lowest rate of inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index, at 1.4 per cent. Exports are experiencing significant growth, totalling over $101.9 billion for 2022 and 2023 combined. This is a 52.2 per cent increase from the previous two-year period of 2020-2021, which saw $66.9 billion in total exports. Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers also indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2023 real GDP reached an all-time high of $77.9 billion, increasing by $1.2 billion, or 1.6 per cent. This places Saskatchewan second in the nation for real GDP growth, and above the national average of 1.2 per cent. Private capital investment is projected to reach $14.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 14.4 per cent over 2023. This is the highest anticipated percentage increase in Canada.