Analysts in a Reuters poll had predicted sales would rise 0.3pc from April. Sales fell in four of the 11 subsectors, representing 39pc of total retail trade.

Sales of food and drink dropped by 2.0pc, which Statscan linked to unseasonably cold weather across Canada and heavy rainfall in some major cities. It was the largest month-on-month decrease for the subsector since a 2.4pc fall in January 2015.

Gasoline station trade rose for the fourth consecutive month, increasing by 3.5pc. Cannabis stores notched a 14.8pc jump in sales, the third consecutive month of double-digit growth.

Only Ontario and Quebec - the two most populous of Canada's 10 provinces - posted gains. Sales in the remaining eight fell.