The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its retail sales data on Friday. Retail sales in Australia were flat in December, missing expectations for a 0.5% rise, after a 0.4% gain in November.

Household goods sales were up 0.4% in December, department stores sales increased 0.4%, and food sales rose 0.4%, while clothing, footwear and personal accessory sales climbed 0.4%.

On a yearly basis, retail sales climbed 4.2% in December, after a 4.3% rise in November.