Statistics Canada released retail sales data on Friday. Canadian retail sales fell by 0.1% in April, missing expectations for a 0.7% gain, after a 0.9% rise in March. March's figure was revised up from a 0.7% increase.

The drop was driven by lower sales at food and beverage stores and at electronics and appliance stores. Sales at food and beverage stores decreased 1.3% in April, while sales at electronics and appliance stores slid 8.8%.

Sales declined in 4 of 11 subsectors.

Motor vehicle and parts sales gained 1.3% in April, sales at gasoline stations were down 0.5%.

Canadian retail sales excluding automobiles were up 0.3% in April.