By Dr. Ken Jones, Tansel Erguden and Philip Bermingham

This report is the fourth in our series of updates that identify and interpret changes in the major concentrations of retail sales activity across Canada. Using SARTRE (Small Area Retail Trade Estimates) database, this update examines changes in the ranking of major retail areas in Canada for the 2000 - 2001 period.  In the research, the hot spots of Canadian retailing are identified and evaluated for three major retail categories: (i) total retails sales (excluding automotive); (ii) fashion retailing, and; (iii) general merchandise goods.  With the release and interpretation of this information, a more precise view of the dynamics of the Canadian retail economy as 2001 (the most recent date for which data are available) is made possible.