Australia’s Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported sales tumbled 2.7% from November where they rose by a smaller than originally reported 1.6%, making the miss on the 1.7% decline expected even deeper. The ABS was at pains to point out the lumpy monthly results reflect shifting spending patterns, with sales previously made in December being brought forward into November due to the increased popularity of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. “Turnover fell in all the non-food industries that had been boosted by Black Friday sales in November,” the ABS said. “Household goods retailing had the largest fall, following the ... (full story)