National retail sales fell 0.3 percent in October from a year earlier to 10.48 trillion yen for the first drop in eight months, as warm weather slowed sales of fall and winter clothing as well as food for winter meals, the government said Monday.

"Although a modest recovery has been seen, the trend seems to be flat," the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said of the final October data.

In its preliminary report for October, the ministry said retail sales had undergone a modest recovery in the April-September half. But it also said sales of clothing, food and beverages all had dipped 3.5 percent from a year ago.

Sales of perishable food and rice fell from the previous year, when typhoons and rain marred turnover and sent prices higher.

But retail sales of fuel such as gasoline and diesel oil rose 6.7 percent from a year earlier on surging crude oil prices. Sales at drugstores and do-it-yourself shops also rose, by 4.8 percent, a METI official said.

Sales by wholesalers grew 2.6 percent to 34.66 trillion yen for the 17th consecutive monthly rise, mainly boosted by a rise in sales of oil and steel as well as machinery and equipment.

Minerals and metals sales by wholesalers registered an 8.4 percent gain from the previous year, while those of general machinery and equipment, including motors and metal working machinery for exports, grew 18.2 percent, the official said.

Combined wholesale and retail sales stood at 45.14 trillion yen, up 1.9 percent from a year earlier for the 17th consecutive monthly gain.