The value of Canadian retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.2% in May from April, led by a drop in building material and garden equipment supplies, Statistics Canada data showed on Thursday.
The median forecast in a Reuters poll was for a 0.4% advance in retail sales in May. Statscan revised April's month-on-month fall to 2.2% from an initially reported 2.0% decline.
Excluding the auto sector, sales edged down 0.1%. Sales in volume terms rose 0.4%, following an upward trend since the start of 2009.
Two of the largest declines in the month were at gasoline stations, down 2.3%, as prices fell at the pump, while the building material and garden equipment supplies sector fell 4.1%. Overall, six of 11 sectors posted lower sales, and dragged total retail sales down for a second straight month.
Of the five sectors that registered gains in May, the largest increase was a 2.6% jump at clothing and clothing accessories stores.
