Canadian retail sales edged up 0.2% in February to $33.7 billion compared to the previous month, driven by higher activity at building supply stores and food and beverage stores, Statistics Canada said Thursday.

February’s rise follows large declines in November and December, and a partial recovery in January.

February’s slight increase was price-driven, as sales were down 0.3% in volume terms

StatsCan said sales at building and outdoor home supplies stores rose by 3%, but did not offset the declines in the sector in the previous two months, which totalled about 7%.

Sales at food and beverage stores grew by 0.7%, mostly due to higher sales at beer, wine and liquor stores.

On the losing side, stores selling furniture, home furnishings and electronics continued their slide that dates back to July 2008. In February, sales in the sector fell by 1.9%.

IE