Statistics Canada says retail sales fell 0.6 percent 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 percent for the month as sales at new car dealers fell 3.2 percent and automotive parts, accessories and tire retailers saw a 2.8 percent decline.
Used car dealers reported sales rose 1.6 percent.
Statistics Canada says core retail sales—which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers—fell 0.2 percent in January.
In volume terms, overall retail sales fell 1.1 percent in January.
Looking ahead, Statistics Canada says its preliminary estimate for February points to a decrease in retail sales of 0.4 percent for the month, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.
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