Shoppers shelled out on clothes, hardware items and takeaway food in the lead-up to Christmas but shied away from recreational and electrical goods, figures show.
Retail sales grew an uninspiring 3.3 per cent in November, compared with the same month in 2015, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data released on Tuesday.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:25
The wearables of tomorrow
The wearables of tomorrow
Thousands flock to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to check out all the latest in wearable technology, from shoes that tie themselves, to even underwear that protects the user from radiation!
Up Next
Obama promises peaceful transfer of power
- Video duration
- 01:54
- Video duration
- 01:54
Obama promises peaceful transfer of power
Obama promises peaceful transfer of power
President Barack Obama says in his farewell address that in 10 days the world will witness the peaceful transfer of power to a new president, drawing some jeers ahead of Donald Trump's presidency.
Up Next
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
- Video duration
- 03:05
- Video duration
- 03:05
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Russia poses a major and growing threat to US government, military, diplomatic and commercial operations. Senators suggested the President-elect should take notice.
Up Next
Who killed Mao's No. 2?
- Video duration
- 04:20
- Video duration
- 04:20
Who killed Mao's No. 2?
Who killed Mao's No. 2?
Fairfax's Peter Hannam talks about his investigation into the death of of Marshal Lin Biao.
Up Next
The world according to Rex Tillerson
- Video duration
- 03:00
- Video duration
- 03:00
The world according to Rex Tillerson
The world according to Rex Tillerson
Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson is grilled at his Senate confirmation hearing, with his responses revealing clues about how a former ExxonMobil CEO might conduct international policy.
Up Next
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit childrens charity
- Video duration
- 00:46
- Video duration
- 00:46
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit ...
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit childrens charity
During a visit to an east London bereavement centre with the Duchess of Cambridge, the prince asked Aoife: "Do you know what happened to me?"
Up Next
Trump compares intelligence report to 'Nazi Germany'
- Video duration
- 01:49
- Video duration
- 01:49
Trump compares intelligence report to ...
Trump compares intelligence report to 'Nazi Germany'
Donald Trump slams the release of an unsubstantiated intelligence report as "something that Nazi Germany would have done" and calls Buzzfeed a "failing pile of garbage."
Up Next
Year's worth of pollution in five days: London
- Video duration
- 01:21
- Video duration
- 01:21
Year's worth of pollution in five days: ...
Year's worth of pollution in five days: London
London - a world leader in nitrogen dioxide because of its reliance on diesel-powered vehicles - takes five days to breach its 2017 air pollution limit.
The wearables of tomorrow
Thousands flock to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to check out all the latest in wearable technology, from shoes that tie themselves, to even underwear that protects the user from radiation!
Despite the shutdown of Woolworths' Masters homeware chain, the hardware category led the way, with spending up 10.2 per cent on the same month in 2015, while the rise of online food delivery services such as UberEats and Deliveroo boosted spending on takeaway food services by 9.9 per cent.
Russell Zimmerman, executive director of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), also highlighted clothing as a strongly performing category.
"With the warmer weather approaching and Christmas around the corner, consumers appeared to have hit the shops to update their wardrobes with the early summer fashion trends," he said.
Overall, the national turnover of $25.7 billion in November was dragged down by the disappointing performance of recreational goods, down by 4.1 per cent, department stores, down by 3.21 per cent, and electrical and electronic goods, down by 3.04 per cent.
Despite this, Mr Zimmerman said retailers remained hopeful the ARA and Roy Morgan-predicted pre-Christmas sales figure of $48.1 billion over the Christmas trading period (November 15 to December 24, 2016) would be achieved.
"We won't be able to confirm the actual pre-Christmas spend until December retail figures are released next month," he said.
"However, after speaking with retailers across the country, many reported a strong start to Christmas sales in November due to many consumers getting on top of their holiday shopping early."
He pointed out that liquor sales grew 4.85 per cent year-on-year, which probably reflected the fact consumers were spending more time outdoors and enjoying the good weather.
NSW was the strongest state, growing 4.25 per cent year-on-year, while other states remained steady.
The mining jurisdictions, Western Australia (-0.57 per cent) and Northern Territory (0.31 per cent), reflected a weakness in sales because of the downturn in resources.
"Though these figures don't necessarily reflect Christmas sales, they generally provide a strong indication as to what we can expect for retail sales over the festive season," Mr Zimmerman said.
"I'm confident December figures will prove to be strong as many consumers, including myself, usually leave their Christmas shopping until the last minute."