OTTAWA - Canadian retail sales edged up in November as consumers bought new cars and spent more at home renovation stores, though Black Friday sales were mixed, data from Statistics Canada showed on Friday.

The 0.2 per cent gain was shy of economists' expectations for an increase of 0.5 per cent, while October was revised slightly upwards to 1.2 per cent from the previously reported 1.1 per cent.

Auto sales rose for the third month in a row, up 0.8 per cent with sales at new car dealers accounting for most of the gain.

Stores typically associated with home purchases and renovations also saw stronger sales, with purchases at building material stores up 2.9 per cent, while furniture sales increased 2.0 per cent.

Excluding vehicles, retail sales were up just 0.1 per cent weighed by a decline in gasoline prices at the pump.

Stores normally associated with Black Friday sales saw mixed results. Purchases at electronics and appliance stores were up 1.0 percent, but sales at sporting goods and hobby stores declined 0.3 percent and clothing stores were up just 0.1 per cent.