German retail sales unexpectedly fell by 0.6% in November compared with the previous month, official data showed on Wednesday.

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

Australian Retailers Association's Chief Industry Officer Fleur Brown discusses the “nice numbers” which have come through on retail spending in November.

If motor vehicle sales were excluded, retail turnover decreased 1.4 per cent in November, compared with 0.5 per cent growth in October. Private-sector economists had predicted expansion, with a median forecast of 1.5 per cent growth in a Bloomberg poll.

By Maria Martinez BERLIN (Reuters) -German industrial orders and retail sales unexpectedly fell in November, reigniting recession fears after the euro zone's largest economy barely grew in the third quarter.

Retail sales in Germany increased 2.50% in November over the same month in the previous year. Retail sales decreased 0.60% in November over the previous month. Factory orders decreased 5.40% in November over the previous month.