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#Z# vehicles sales and higher gasoline prices pushed Canadian retail sales to a record $29.6 billion in October, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday.

The 1.4% jump from September exceeded economists’ forecasts.

Excluding auto sales, the overall retail numbers were little changed, up only 0.1% from September.

Automotive retailers saw sales grow by 4%, while general merchandise sales jumped 1.4%. Pharmacy sales were up by 0.6%.

Sales were relatively flat in the furniture and food sectors and dropped in the clothing, building supplies and miscellaneous sectors. Statistics Canada includes retailers such as office supply, sporting goods, hobby, music and book stores in its miscellaneous category.

In a separate release, StatsCan said thee steady slowdown in the growth of the composite index of leading indicators that began in July culminated with the index posting no growth in November. That’s the first time the index has not risen since May 2003.

Most of the weakness originated in the U.S. leading indicator and Canadian manufacturing. Consumer spending remained the major source of growth. Overall, 6 of the 10 components rose in November, the same as in October.

StatsCan said manufacturers faced a worsening decline in export demand, with the Canadian dollar up sharply just as the world economy slowed.

The U.S. leading indicator also fell for the second straight month.