(Adds details from report)
OTTAWA, April 22 (Reuters) - Canadian retail sales
unexpectedly rose for a second straight month in February as
consumers bought more clothing and cars, data from Statistics
Canada showed on Friday.
Sales rose 0.4 percent, though analysts expected a decline
of 0.8 percent. Sales were tempered by lower sales at gasoline
stations, but sales volumes, which remove the effects of price
changes, were more robust with a 1.5 percent gain.
Motor vehicle and parts dealers saw a 1.0 percent increase
as Canadians bought more new and used cars, as well as
recreational vehicles.
Sales at clothing and accessories stores rose 2.7 percent,
while sales at general merchandise stores climbed 1.9 percent.
All in all, nine of 11 sectors saw higher sales, which accounted
for 89 percent of retail trade.
Recent data has suggested that the economy was slower in
February after a strong start to the year but the retail sales
report could bolster expectations for growth in the month.
The persisting slump in oil prices put Canada in a mild
recession last year and the resource-focused economy is still
struggling to regain momentum.
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Graphic - Canada economic dashboard http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/15/sc-canada/index.html
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