(Adds details from report)
OTTAWA, April 26 (Reuters) - Canadian retail sales fell more than expected in February as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers declined for the first time in seven months and as consumers paid less for gasoline at the pump, data from Statistics Canada showed on Wednesday.
Sales were down 0.6 percent, falling by more than economists' forecasts for a decline of 0.1 percent, though January was revised slightly higher to a gain of 2.3 percent from the previously reported 2.2 percent.
Sales declined in five out of 11 sectors, accounting for 67 percent of total retail sales. Stripping out the effects of prices changes, volumes dipped 0.1 percent.
The vehicle and parts sector saw sales decline 1.8 percent, driven by weaker new car sales. Sales at gasoline stations tumbled 3.6 percent, the first decline in three months, due to lower prices. Excluding those two sectors, retail sales were up 0.5 percent.
Food sales also weakened, with consumers making fewer purchases at beer, wine and liquor stores, as well as specialty food shops.
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http://tmsnrt.rs/2e8hNWV
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