OTTAWA — Retail sales held steady in March, although after removing the effects of price changes, particularly higher food and gasoline prices, sales in volume terms slipped slightly by 0.8 percent.

The largest increase, not surprisingly, was registered at fuel stations (+1.4%) — The eighth increase in nine months, reports Stats Canada.

Sales at electronics and appliance stores (+2.1%) increased for a second consecutive month, following three months of declines. Sales at this store type have yet to return to pre-economic downturn levels.

After three consecutive monthly declines, sales at motor vehicle and parts dealers rose slightly, up nearly a point at new car dealers specifically, while the rest of the subsector showed declines.

Furniture and home furnishings stores registered the largest decline in March, falling 2.2 percent. This reflects a 4.4 percent fall at furniture stores, where sales have been trending down since early 2010.

Clothing and clothing accessories retailers registered a 0.9 percent decline, with lower sales reported by all store types.