Retail sales hit $96.4 million last November — a 4.9 per cent increase on the $91.9 million for same month in 2015.

All sectors in the Retail Sales Index survey experienced increases, with the exception of clothing stores, where sales revenue declined slightly by 0.7 per cent.

The biggest winners were building materials stores, which saw sales go up by more than a fifth.

Overseas shoppers declared $6.2 million in purchases, a drop of 4.8 per cent on the $6.5 million declared in November 2015, giving a combined spend for the month of $102.6 million.

After adjustment for inflation, which stood at 0.9 per cent last November, the volume of sales went up by 4 per cent.

November is an important month for retailers, as it includes the Black Friday push to launch the holiday shopping period with a flurry of deals.

The 20.9 per cent increase in receipts from building materials was attributed to improved inventory and a higher demand due to residential projects.

When adjusted for inflation, the building materials sales volume increased by 12.1 per cent.

Motor vehicles sales also registered a large increase — up 15.3 per cent compared to the same period two years ago, although with inflation taken into account, the sales volume increased by 14.5 per cent.

Sales of fuel at service stations also went up, by 4.9 per cent. After adjustment for inflation, the figure was 4.6 per cent.

Receipts in the liquor and food store sector also rose, up 4.3 per cent and 3.6 per cent respectively.

But the sales volume of liquor stores declined by 1.1 per cent compared to November 2015, while food stores sales volume went up by 2.1 per cent.

The all other stores types category, which includes pharmacies, furniture shops, marine and boat suppliers, furniture stores and electrical and appliance outlets, registered a 3.2 per cent increase in sales receipts for the period.

Pharmacies reported an 11 per cent gain in gross receipts and furniture, appliances and electronics showed a 1.7 per cent increase.

Marine and boat suppliers experienced an 11.9 per cent drop in sales.

Although clothing stores saw a small drop in sales revenue, after adjustment for inflation, the sales volume for the month increased by 6.7 per cent.