The auto sector drove Canadian retail sales back up in October after two months of sluggish sales. Statistics Canada reported today that sales rose by 0.6% for the month to $31 billion.

Factoring out sales of new, used and recreational vehicles and auto parts, retail sales dipped by 0.3% during October.

“Still, consumer spending at non-auto retailers remained robust, as October represented only the second decline since the start of the year,” Statistics Canada said.

Sales at new car dealers increased by 5.5% in October following declines in August and September. October saw new car dealers gain back about half the ground they lost in the previous month. Auto sales in August and September fell after some automakers offered employee pricing programs to the general public in July.

StatsCan said sales at pharmacies and personal care stores rose by a strong 0.9% while and furniture, home furnishings and electronics store sales gained 0.5%.

Sales in the miscellaneous retailers category, which includes sporting goods, music and book stores, were off by 0.7%. Building and outdoor home supplies stores sales declined by 0.8%, while clothing and accessories stores saw their sales pull back by 1.3% from September.