Canada's retail sales in November fall 0.2% to $66.6B

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Canada's retail sales fell 0.2% to $66.6 billion last November compared to the previous month, the country's statistical authority said Friday.

The market expectation for the figure was to show no change, while retail sales rose 0.5% in October.

Last November, sales were down in four of nine subsectors, led by decreases at food and beverage retailers, which fell 1.4%, Statistics Canada said in a statement.

Core retail sales, which exclude gas stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers, were down 0.5% in November, following a 0.4% increase in October.

The decline in core retail sales in November was led by lower sales at food and beverage retailers, falling 1.4%, and general merchandise retailers, dropping 1.8%, according to the authority.