The U.S. dollar drew strength from rising Treasury yields on Thursday, adding pressure to the pound and euro, while the yen edged up from recent lows, and the market waited for clarity on possible Trump tariffs.

The doom and gloom for Aussie retailers has temporarily subsided, as shoppers returned in droves during the Black Friday sales.

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

Black Friday spending helped lift retail sales in late 2024 but overall sales in the final quarter of last year proved disappointing, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday.

Australian Retailers Association's Chief Industry Officer Fleur Brown says Black Friday sales were a “big winner” for retail sales last year.

Australian shoppers continue to lean on Black Friday sales for cheaper goods, with the discounting period now extending across all of November.

Australian retail sales had the biggest increase in 10 months in November as Black Friday discounting drew cost-conscious shoppers, but even so they missed forecasts suggesting consumer demand remains subdued.