Canadian retail sales edged down 0.2 percent in June to 50.7 billion Canadian dollars (about 39 billion U.S. dollars), according to Canada Statistics Wednesday.

The country's retail sales rose 2.2 percent in May.

Sales at gasoline stations fell 2.3 percent in June, partly reversing May's 5.2 percent gain. In volume terms, sales at gasoline stations fell 0.4 percent.

Motor vehicles and parts sales decline 0.7 percent, the second drop in three months.

June's sales were down in six of 11 subsectors, representing 52 percent of total retail trade.

Lower sales at gasoline stations and motor vehicle and parts dealers offset higher sales at food and beverage stores and building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers.

Excluding the first two subsectors, retail sales were up 0.3 percent. After removing the effects of price changes, retail sales decreased 0.3 percent.

On a quarterly basis, retail sales were up one percent in the second quarter this year following 0.5 percent decrease in the first quarter.

In volume terms, retail sales rose 0.9 percent in the second quarter.