The Melbourne Cup day interest rate cut has failed to spark the shopping spree Australia's retailers were hoping for, with spending growth stalling in November.

Despite interest rates falling by 25 basis points during the month, the first official figures on the early weeks of Christmas shopping suggest the festive season began with a whimper.

After small rises in sales in preceding months, retail trade was unchanged in November, while spending continued to fall at department stores, fashion outlets and suppliers of electrical goods.