Retail sales in Canada crept up in October, rising 0.2% to $26.4 billion, Statistics Canada said Monday.

The slim rise in followed a 1% drop in September.

“Lower gasoline prices at the pump depressed overall retail sales growth in October,” Statistics Canada said.

Sales of big-ticket items, such as autos, household furniture and appliances, as well as general merchandise, clothing and drugs were essentially flat in October.

The exception was seen by food retailers, with a large sales increase in October.

“Although sales by retailers have generally been increasing since the fall of 2001, year-over-year growth has decelerated so far in 2003,” Statistics Canada added.