The Office for National Statistics released the retail sales data for the U.K. on Thursday. Retail sales in the U.K. increased 1.6% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% rise, after a 1.0% gain in October. That the highest increase since December 2013. October's figure was revised up from a 0.8% increase.

On a yearly basis, retail sales in the U.K. climbed 6.4% in November, beating expectations for a 4.5% rise, after a 4.6% increase in October. That was the highest rise since May 2004. October's figure was revised up from a 4.3% rise.

The increase was driven by strong Black Friday sales. Electrical goods sales surged 32% from a year earlier, while sales at department stores jumped 15%.

Online sales rose at an annual rate of 12.9%.