A three-month stretch of rising retail sales came to a halt in April as fewer automobile purchases drove sales down by 0.8%, Statistics Canada reported on Friday.

The news disappointed Bay Street economists, who had expected a decrease of just 0.1% from the previous month. The sharper drop indicates that talk of an economic recovery is premature, economists said.

“This disappointing result reinforces the view that the economy is not poised to snap back quickly,” said Douglas Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Capital Markets.

Sales declined in five of eight sectors, led by a 1.9% decrease in the automotive sector.

Even excluding sales of autos and gasoline, retail sales declined for the first time this year, slipping 0.3%.

Furniture, home furnishings and electronics stores posted their ninth consecutive monthly decline in April with a 0.8% decrease in sales. Since July 2008, sales in this sector have fallen 11.4%.

Sales at food and beverage stores fell for the first time in four months, retreating 1%. Sales at supermarkets were down 0.7%, while beer, wine and liquor stores declined 1.7%, marking their first monthly decline so far this year.

The drop in sales will likely impact second-quarter economic growth, according to CIBC World Markets economist Krishen Rangasamy.

“The drop in retail volumes will weigh on April’s GDP,” he said. “This report supports our view that the economy will continue to contract in Q2.”

Across the country, six provinces saw sales decline, led by a 2.5% drop in Quebec and a 1.1% dip in Ontario.

Experiencing notable growth for the month was British Columbia, up 1.3%, Alberta, up 0.6%, and Prince Edward Island, up 1.7%.

Economists expect sales to rebound in the months ahead.

“Early results from the spending side in May, including auto and home sales, as well as consumer confidence, point to firmer retail activity in coming months,” said Porter.