Mercedes-Benz car and van sales fell 4% to 2.39 million vehicles in 2024 amid a challenging global market, with top-end vehicle sales weighed by market conditions in China, model changes and weak electric-vehicle demand.

Mercedes-Benz's core car sales fell in 2024, a tough year for the auto industry marked by waning demand in a weak economy, especially in key market China, the German luxury carmaker said on Friday.

Annual sales of battery-electric cars (BEV) dropped by 23 per cent to 185,100 vehicles, adding pressure on the carmaker as new, harsher EU CO2 emission reduction targets take effect this year

Sainsbury's , Britain's second biggest supermarket group, on Friday reported a 2.8% rise in underlying sales for the key Christmas quarter, with robust grocery sales offset by a weaker performance in general merchandise.

The UK's second-largest grocery chain, trailing only Tesco, reported robust sales over the festive period, with party food and bottles of fizz in high demand

The grocer reported sales volume growth for the key Christmas period and expects to deliver retail operating profit for its fiscal year in line with market consensus.

The retailer recorded sales of $5 billion for the 13 weeks to Dec. 28, up 5.6% compared with the year-earlier period, and said it is confident in making progress in 2025.

Retail giant Marks and Spencer (M&S) on Thursday announced that its 13-week group sales during Christmas trading increased 5.6% from the previous year to £4.06 billion ($4.9 billion) with growth in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

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

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.

Australian Retailers Association's Chief Industry Officer Fleur Brown discusses the “nice numbers” which have come through on retail spending in November.