Retail trade increased in November 2010 with turnover rising by 0.3 percent from a 0.8 percent decline in October.

Other retailing, increased by 0.8 percent and department stores by 0.8 percent; reporting the largest rises during the same period followed by cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services at 0.4 percent, household goods retailing at 0.3 percent as well as clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing. Food retailing turnover dropped by 0.1 percent.

"It suggests that Australian consumers remain cautious and while their incomes are rising they are inclined to sit on their wallets," CBA chief economist, Michael Blythe said in a statement.

In detail, retail turnover rose in New South Wales with 0.6 percent, Queensland with 0.6 percent, Victoria with 0.2 percent and the Australian Capital Territory with 1 percent. Turnover was relatively unchanged in Tasmania and fell in South Australia with -0.9 percent, Western Australia with -0.2 percent and the Northern Territory with -0.9 percent.

Trend turnover continued to be relatively flat in November 2010. This follows a similarly flat result in October 2010 and a rise of 0.1 percent in September 2010. Trend turnover rose 2.3 percent in November 2010 compared with November 2009.