Retail Services Price Index (RSPI)

Detailed information for first quarter 2026

The purpose of the survey is to collect and compile price data to measure the monthly change in the movement of the price of retail services over time. These price data are combined and the component indexes chained to form a price index. The estimates are produced on a quarterly basis.

• Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s)
• Description
• Data sources and methodology

Description

The Retail Services Price Index is constructed from price data collected by the Retail Trade Price Report. These price data are combined to estimate a price index for retail services that can be joined with other business services indexes to provide better estimates of real output and productivity, monitor inflation and feed an important research agenda at Statistics Canada.

Statistical activity

These indexes are a part of the Services Producer Price Index program (SPPI) at Statistics Canada.

The SPPI program develops and produces price indexes for a wide range of business service categories. This initiative fills an important data gap in the area of economic statistics and has resulted in a more comprehensive set of service price indexes. It also allows Statistics Canada to produce more accurate estimates of real value added of the Gross Domestic Product and changes in productivity.

Reference period: The period for which the Retail Services Price Index equals 100; currently this is the year 2013.

Collection period: Collection takes place during the quarter following the reference quarter.

Subjects

• Prices and price indexes
• Retail and wholesale
• Service price indexes

Data sources and methodology

Target population

For the Retail Services Price Index, the target population consists of all enterprises with at least one establishment classified to the retail sector (codes 44-45 of the North American Industry Classification System [NAICS]) on the Business Register, excluding Automobile and Other Motor Vehicle Dealers and Non-Store Retailers (codes 4411, 4412 and 454 of the NAICS).

• Additional documentation

Instrument design

Pricing methodologies and questionnaire design were researched and based on internationally accepted practice. The Retail Trade Price Report (survey questionnaire) was developed and tested through consultation and collaboration with retailers, industry experts and the Questionnaire Design Resource Centre at Statistics Canada.

The questionnaire, last revised in 2014, is designed to collect information on, among other variables, the average monthly purchase price (amount paid for the acquisition of a given product) and the average monthly selling price (amount received for selling the same product), excluding taxes.

Sampling

This is a sample survey with a longitudinal design.

The frame is part of Statistics Canada's Business Register classified to the Retail sector (codes 44-45 of the North American Industry Classification System [NAICS]).

Sampling unit
The sampling unit is at the enterprise level. The enterprise, as a statistical unit, is defined as the organizational unit of a business that directs and controls the allocation of resources relating to its domestic operations, and for which consolidated financial and balance sheet accounts are maintained from which international transactions, an international investment position and a consolidated financial position for the unit can be derived.

Stratification method
The population is stratified by 5-digit NAICS and by size based on revenue. The largest enterprises were selected into the sample with a probability of 100% ("Take-All method"). The remaining enterprises were selected according to the "Take-Some" method, where the probability of selection was proportional to the revenue of the enterprise for the reference year.

Sampling and subsampling
The sample is allocated to strata by revenue and selected based on probability proportional to size using sequential Poisson sampling.

Every enterprise selected for the Retail Trade Price Report survey reports a maximum of twelve products chosen based on a judgmental sampling approach. Respondents select products that are representative of their retailing activity, chosen based on either contribution to annual sales or sold regularly throughout the year.

Data sources

Responding to this survey is mandatory.

Data are collected directly from survey respondents.

Following sample selection, new survey participants (respondents) are introduced to the survey through telephone calls. During this initial phase of data collection, respondents are guided through the process of selecting representative products for which prices and their characteristics (specifications) will be monitored. This process typically spans several collection cycles until respondents become conversant with the survey.

In subsequent cycles, monthly data are collected on a quarterly basis via electronic questionnaire and by mail out mail back paper questionnaires, while telephone communication (computer-assisted telephone interviewing) is used for non-response and data follow-up. Several follow-up contacts can be made, including sending out a reminder fax or letter in order to collect data.

Information about the time it takes respondents to complete the survey is collected and monitored closely. Currently, it takes respondents an average of 30 minutes to complete the survey questionnaire.

View the Questionnaire(s) and reporting guide(s) .