The Clothing, footwear and accessories retailing sector experienced 1.5% growth in November, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Acting director of Quarterly Economy Wide Surveys, Ben Faulkner, said that Black Friday sales helped to bolster the turnover.
“Household goods retailing (1.2%) led the rises, while there was also a notable rise for Clothing, footwear and personal accessories retailing (1.5%).
“Both of these industries were impacted by strong promotional activity in the November month, including Black Friday sales,” he said.
In the wake of the figures, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), said that although the numbers are slightly lower than what the ARA and Roy Morgan predicted, the Clothing, footwear and accessories category still experienced substantial year-on-year growth.
“According to the November figures released today by the ABS, the Apparel and Footwear category recognised substantial growth with an impressive 5.87% year-on-year lift, with consumers purchasing outfits for upcoming festivities and the warmer summer months ahead,” executive director of the ARA, Russell Zimmerman, said.
“Sales events in the month of November certainly contributed to a steady lead-in to the festive season, particularly for department stores and online retailing,” he said.
In November, online retail contributed 6.6% to the total retail turnover, a rise from 5.9% in October.
Overall, Australian retail turnover rose 0.4% in November, following a rise of 0.3% in October.
To read the full ABS report for retail turnover in November, click here.