Investing.com - UK retail sales rose a higher than expected 1.4% in November, the Office for National Statistics said Thursday.
That compared with a 0.4% decrease in the previous month and economist forecasts for a 0.3% advance.
Year-on-year, retail sales rose 3.6% last month, above analyst expectations for a 1.9% gain.
“Retailers reported strong growth on the month due to Black Friday promotions in November, which continues the shifting pattern in consumer spending to sales occurring earlier in the year,” ONS statistician Rhian Murphy said.
The annual increase in October retail sales was revised up to 2.4% from an initial 2.2% advance.
Core retail sales, which exclude automobile sales and fuel, increased by 1.2% in November, after falling 0.4% a month earlier. Economists had expected a 0.2% increase.
Year-on-year, core retail sales rose 3.8% in November, compared to expectations for a 2.3% increase. A month earlier, they registered a 2.8% advance.