Statistics Canada released retail sales data on Friday. Canadian retail sales were flat in October, beating expectations for a 0.4% decline, after a 0.8% rise in September.

The decline in motor vehicle and parts sales weighed on retail sales. Motor vehicle and parts sales fell 0.6% in October, building material and garden supply sales increased 2.0%, while electronics and appliance sales rose 3.2%.

Gasoline station sales dropped 1.1%.

Canadian retail sales excluding automobiles increased 0.2% in October, in line with expectations, after a flat reading in September.