Canadian retail sales edged down for the second month in a row in June, Statistics Canada said today.

Sales in June slipped 0.2% to $32.5 billion.

The government agency said retail spending continued to grow at a fast rate of 2.3% in the second quarter, though sales were inflated by a spike in gasoline prices.

Sales in the automotive sector fell 0.8% in June, the second month in row after two strong increases in March and April.

Retail spending in the general merchandise sector, which includes department stores and other general merchandise stores, declined 1.4% in June.

These declines were partly offset by a 1.4% increase in sales at pharmacies and personal care storesm which rose for the eighth consecutive month in June.

Retail sales in the building and outdoor home supplies stores sector were 0.8% higher in June compared to May. Sales grew by 1% in the second quarter for retailers in this sector after a robust 5.4% increase in the first quarter.

Excluding new car dealers and used and recreational motor vehicles and parts dealers, total retail sales remained relatively flat, up just 0.1% in June.


Sales were down in most provinces and territories in June, except for Ontario, Alberta and Nunavut.

Retail sales in British Columbia fell 1.4% in June after gains of 1.4% in both April and May. In general, sales in this province have been growing steadily since 2004 after a period of relative flatness.

The Atlantic provinces all posted lower sales in June compared to May. The largest decline was in Nova Scotia, down 3.8%, partly due to lower sales in the automotive sector.