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.

Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.

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

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.