Statistics Canada says retail sales down 0.6% in January at $69.4B

Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.6% to $69.4 billion in January as sales in the auto sector moved lower.

The agency says sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers dropped 2.6% for the month as sales at new car dealers fell 3.2% and automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers saw a 2.8% decline. 

Used car dealers reported sales rose 1.6%.

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Statistics Canada says core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—fell 0.2% in January.

In volume terms, overall retail sales fell 1.1% in January.

Looking ahead, Statistics Canada says its preliminary estimate for February points to a decrease in retail sales of 0.4% for the month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.