Statistics Canada reports December retail sales fell 0.4 per cent to $70B

OTTAWA — Statistics Canada says retail sales were down 0.4 per cent at $70 billion in December as sales at new and used car dealers fell.

However, the agency says its early estimate for January pointed to a gain of 1.5 per cent, though it cautioned the figure would be revised.

For December, Statistics Canada says sales were down in three of the nine subsectors it tracks. The motor vehicle and parts dealers subsector posted a 1.6 per cent drop as sales at both new and used car dealers fell 1.8 per cent in December.

Core retail sales, which exclude gasoline stations and fuel vendors and motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.3 per cent in December.

Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers fell four per cent in December after two consecutive monthly gains, while furniture, home furnishings, electronics and appliances retailers were down 1.7 per cent.

In volume terms, retail sales were unchanged in December.