Despite the GST holiday that was in place, sales at Alberta’s restaurants and bars decreased for the third month in a row in January.*

Sales ticked down by 0.7% to the lowest level in almost a year.

Compared to January 2024, sales were up by 2.2%, but given Alberta’s strong population growth last year, this suggests some overall spending fatigue in the province.

Nationally, sales managed to pick up by 0.2% with higher sales in every province except Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.

As a sector, Alberta’s restaurants and bars will, like the rest of the economy, be bracing for the impact of tariffs. The trade war has already eroded consumer confidence and could send food, beverage and other input costs higher.

At the same time, a weak loonie versus the U.S. greenback is expected to keep more Canadians at home** and encourage more Americans to travel to Canada, both of which would help support spending at restaurants and bars.

*The monthly sales data have been adjusted for regular seasonal variation.

**Survey data also suggest that many Canadians plan to avoid travel to the U.S. due to current political tensions.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Including the one coming up on April 28, there have been 45 general elections at the federal level in Canada.

Today’s trivia question: How many federal electoral districts (ridings) are there in Canada?