Retail sales value in Canada unexpectedly declined 1.2% month over month to C$50.92 billion in October from a revised C$51.56 billion in September, data from Statistics Canada showed.

The consensus estimate of economists polled by Econoday was for sales to increase 0.5% in the month, following a marginal decrease in September.

Canada recorded a 3.2% slump in sales of motor vehicle and parts and a 3.1% dip in sales at building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers.

Elsewhere, sales at food and beverage stores slid 0.4% while those at gasoline stations rose 1.5%. In all, sales were down in eight of 11 sub-sectors.

Excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations, retail sales fell 0.8%.

On an annual basis, total retail sales value dropped 0.6% in October.