Home Breadcrumb caret Economy Breadcrumb caret Economic Indicators Canadian retail sales dipped by 1.2% in October Sales were down in eight of 11 subsectors By The Canadian Press | December 20, 2019 | Last updated on December 20, 2019 1 min read © Dmitriy Shironosov / 123RF Stock Photo Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 1.2% to $50.9 billion in October as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers as well as building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers declined. Economists on average had expected an increase of 0.5% for the month, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv. Statistics Canada says sales fell in eight of 11 subsectors, representing 81% of retail trade. Sales in the motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector fell 3.2% as sales at new car dealers declined 3.0% and used car dealers dropped 5.2%, the largest decrease since September 2017. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers saw sales fall 3.1%. Sales at gasoline stations rose 1.5% in October, due to higher prices at the pump. Retail sales in volume terms fell 1.4%. The Canadian Press The Canadian Press is a national news agency headquartered in Toronto and founded in 1917. Save Stroke 1 Print Group 8 Share LI logo