(OTTAWA) Retail sales rose 0.1% in June in Canada to $65.9 billion.

Statistics Canada says sales rose in three of nine subsectors, with the biggest increase of 2.5% at motor vehicle and parts dealers, particularly new car dealers. . Core retail sales, which exclude gas stations and fuel dealers and motor vehicle and parts dealers, fell 0.9% in June.

Retail sales at gas stations and fuel merchants rose 0.3% in June on the back of higher gasoline prices at the pump.

On the decline in core retail sales, declines were recorded primarily by general merchandise retailers and grocery retailers.

E-commerce retail sales rose 1.1% in June to 3.7 billion. They accounted for 5.7% of total retail trade, compared to 5.6% in May.

Statistics Canada found retail sales rose in four provinces in June, with the biggest increases in Ontario and Quebec.