Eurostat released retail sales figures for the Eurozone on Thursday. Retail sales in the Eurozone rose 0.6% in November, exceeding expectations for a 0.3% increase, after a 0.6% gain in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.4% rise.
On a yearly basis, retail sales in the Eurozone surged 1.5% in November, beating expectations for a 1.1% gain, after a 1.6% increase in October. October's figure was revised up from a 1.4% gain.
November's retail sales figures usually boosted by Christmas shopping.
The outlook in the Eurozone is still little optimistic. The inflation declined to an annual rate of -0.2% in December from 0.3% in November. That was the lowest level since October 2009. The decline was driven by falling oil prices.
The inflation excluding food and energy costs increased to an annual rate of 0.8% in December from 0.7% in November.
Producer price inflation in the Eurozone also declined. Eurozone's producer price index fell 0.3% in November, missing expectations for a 0.2% decrease, after a 0.3% drop in October. October's figure was revised up from a 0.4% decline.