Investing.com - Core retail sales in Canada rose less-than-expected in March, while total retail sales figures declined unexpectedly, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, Statistics Canada said core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales, eased up by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in March, below expectations for a 0.5% increase. Core sales rose by 0.9% in February, whose figure was revised up from a previously reported gain of 0.6%.
Total retail sales decreased by a seasonally adjusted 0.1% in March, disappointing forecasts for a 0.2% gain, after rising by 0.7% in February.
Sales declined in 7 of 11 subsectors representing 59% of retail trade.
Sales were lower at motor vehicle and parts dealers and clothing and clothing accessories stores. However, these declines were largely offset by gains at gasoline stations and food and beverage stores.
Following the release of the data, the Canadian dollar turned lower against its U.S. counterpart, with USD/CAD rising 0.08% to trade at 1.0922, compared to 1.0913 ahead of the data.