Black Friday spending helped lift retail sales in late 2024 but overall sales in the final quarter of last year proved disappointing, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday.

After being squeezed by cost of living, cash-cautious Aussies have taken advantage of Black Friday sales and cinematic hits during the month of November.

Retail sales rose across all sectors in November, prompting fresh fear that the Reserve Bank may pause any pending interest rate cuts.Australian retail turnover rose 0.8% for the month, according to figures released on Thursday morning by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Australian retail sales had the biggest increase in 10 months in November as Black Friday discounting drew cost-conscious shoppers, but even so they missed forecasts suggesting consumer demand remains subdued.

Australia retail activity jumped in November, supported by Black Friday sales and widespread discounting ahead of Christmas.

The doom and gloom for Aussie retailers has temporarily subsided, as shoppers returned in droves during the Black Friday sales.

Australian retail sales had the biggest increase in 10 months in November as Black Friday discounting drew cost-conscious shoppers, but the rise missed forecasts suggesting the boost poses no impediment to rate cuts.

Australian Retailers Association's Chief Industry Officer Fleur Brown says Black Friday sales were a “big winner” for retail sales last year.