Canada September retail sales down 0.7%; seen unchanged in October

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canadian retail sales fell in September, reversing a positive trend last month, as consumers spent less in buying cars, automotive parts and building materials among others, data showed on Friday.

Retail sales fell by 0.7% to C$69.81 billion ($49.47 billion) on a monthly basis after a 1% growth in August, Statistics Canada said on Friday.

Sales were down in six of the nine subsectors, representing 66.2% of retail sales. In volume terms, retail sales decreased by 0.8%.

Retail sales, which include domestic sales of cars, furniture, food, gasoline, are considered an early indicator of gross domestic product growth and contribute around 40% to total consumer spending.

* Sales were likely unchanged in October, the agency said ina flash estimate. * Retail sales were up 0.2% in the third quarter. In volumeterms, quarterly retail sales were down 0.3%. * Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers, whichaccount for over a quarter of retail sales fell by 2.9%, forthe first time in three months. Sales at new car dealers led thedecrease with a drop of 3.6%. * The building material subsector saw sales in Septemberdecline by 2%. * Sales at food and beverage retailers, which is the secondbiggest contributor to retail sales, increased by 0.8%.

(Reporting by Promit Mukherjee and Dale SmithEditing by Nick Zieminski)

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