OTTAWA  - Canadian retail sales fell more than expected in February as sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers declined for the first time in seven months and as consumers paid less for gasoline at the pump, data from Statistics Canada showed on Wednesday.

Sales were down 0.6 per cent, falling by more than economists' forecasts for a decline of 0.1 per cent, though January was revised slightly higher to a gain of 2.3 pe rcent from the previously reported 2.2 per cent.

Sales declined in five out of 11 sectors, accounting for 67 per cent of total retail sales. Stripping out the effects of prices changes, volumes dipped 0.1 per cent.

The vehicle and parts sector saw sales decline 1.8 per cent, driven by weaker new car sales. Sales at gasoline stations tumbled 3.6 per cent, the first decline in three months, due to lower prices. Excluding those two sectors, retail sales were up 0.5 per cent.

Food sales also weakened, with consumers making fewer purchases at beer, wine and liquor stores, as well as specialty food shops.