Australian consumers splashed their cash in the lead up to Christmas, and spending growth is set to continue into the new year.
Spending grew by 0.7 per cent in December, seasonally adjusted, according to Commonwealth Bank's business sales indicator (BSI), released on Wednesday.
It follows a 0.9 per cent decline in November, while annual growth rose to 7.3 per cent.
The more stable trend estimate only rose 0.3 per cent in December, after lifting 0.4 per cent in November and 0.5 per cent in October.
CommSec chief economist Craig James said while it wasn't an "out of the ballpark result", Christmas shopping was still well up on 2014.
It also continues uninterrupted economy-wide spending growth back to mid-2011.
"While we saw growth in the retail sector, many sectors across the economy are also posting healthy growth," Mr James said.
"With spending growth remaining above inflation, positive signs remain for business in 2016."
Annual spending growth also held steady at 7.2 per cent in trend terms for the fourth straight month, and remains well above the decade-average of 5.1 per cent growth.
The business services sector was the strongest performer, rising 3.5 per cent in December.
"This is the tenth consecutive month of spending growth in the sector, showing businesses are continuing to build confidence," the survey found.
However, eight of the 19 industries contracted in trend terms including airlines, professional services and entertainment.
South Australia was the only state or territory to experience a decline in sales, falling 0.5 per cent, while Northern Territory recorded the largest growth to rise 1.4 per cent.
But every state and territory posted a positive result in annual terms.
The BSI tracks the value of credit at debit card transactions on Commonwealth Bank merchant facilities throughout Australia.
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