Retail sales in Canada edged ahead by a slim 0.1% in October, as declining sales in Ontario offset most of the increases seen in the rest of the country.

Sales for the month came in at estimated seasonally adjusted $34.46 billion, up from $34.43 billion in September, Statistics Canada reported today.

Economists had been looking for a decline of 0.4%.

Excluding new, used and recreational motor vehicles and parts dealers, retail sales remained virtually unchanged for a third consecutive month.

The October decline of 0.5% in sales in Ontario was primarily due to drops at general merchandise stores, and used and recreational motor vehicles and parts dealers. Statistics Canada said the dip was the fourth decline in sales in Ontario in the past five months.

Excluding Ontario’s sales, retail sales in Canada would have risen 0.5%. Statistics Canada said Ontario’s sales account for approximately 35% of total Canadian retail sales.