Retail turnover rose across the country in November, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
In 2025, retailers saw turnover rise by $2.5 billion from November 2024, a 7 per cent increase. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) attributed this to consumers distributing their festive spending.
“November has become a critical peak trading month in its own right,” ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said.
“We’re seeing strong demand across discretionary and essential categories well before mid-December — year after year, this trend is becoming more entrenched.”
Household goods led the way, with a 10.1 per cent increase from 2024, followed by hospitality and clothing, footwear and personal accessories.
WA and Queensland were the fastest-growing states, with NSW in third.
The ARA said that nearly one in three shoppers are beginning their Christmas purchases earlier than in 2024, due to deal-driven events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM).
“Black Friday and early-season promotions are now firmly embedded in the shopping cycle,” Rodwell added.
“What used to be a once-off mid-December rush is now a sustained, earlier, deal-sensitive shopping season.
“Consumers are seeking both value and convenience. They’re starting earlier, taking advantage of promotions, and distributing their spend across November and early December – and that’s showing up clearly in the ABS turnover data.”
