Canadian retail sales were unchanged in November, below expectations of a 0.2% MoM increase. Ex motor vehicle retail sales were down -0.7% MoM while analysts were expecting a slight 0.1% MoM increase.

Several industries saw declines: food & beverage (-1.6% MoM), building materials (-2.1% MoM), general merchandise (-1.0% MoM), and furniture (-0.5% MoM). These weak spots were offset by a 2.0% MoM increase in motor vehicle sales and a 0.7% MoM increase in gas sales. Excluding gas and motor vehicle sales, the remaining industries together saw a -1.0% MoM decline, the largest decline in this core segment in 6 months.