Retail sales declined 0.6% to $47.8 billion in February, following a 2.3% increase in January. Sales were down in 5 of 11 subsectors, representing 67% of total retail sales.

Lower sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers and gasoline stations were the main contributors to the decline. Excluding these two subsectors, retail sales were up 0.5%.

After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales in volume terms edged down

Sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers (-1.8%) were down for the first time in seven months, largely reflecting weaker sales at new car (-1.7%) and other motor vehicle (-5.5%) dealers. Following gains in January, sales were 1.3% lower at used car dealers.

Gasoline stations (-3.6%) posted their first sales decline in three months, largely reflecting lower prices at the pump.

Following an increase in January, receipts at food and beverage stores decreased 0.4% in February. Lower sales at beer, wine and liquor stores (-1.7%) was the main contributor to the decline. Sales at specialty food stores (-0.6%) also declined, while supermarkets and other grocery stores sales were relatively unchanged from January0.1%.