FOOD sales continue to perform well across Scotland, according to figures produced for the Scottish Retail Consortium by KPMG.
Covering the four weeks from 29 July to 25 August, figures reveal total food sales increased by 3.8% year on year, compared to a decrease of 2.2% in non-food sales.
While food value sales remain buoyant, August growth was below the 3-month average of 4.7% and the 12-month average of 4.3%.
Despite this, Scottish three-month and 12-month averages remain above the growth levels for the UK as a whole, which sit at 3.9% and 3.8% respectively.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy and external affairs, Scottish Retail Consortium said: “A fourth month of sales growth brings a positive end to a successful summer for Scottish retailers. Yet as the shadows lengthen with the nights drawing in, there will be some concern the same challenges we saw earlier in the year may return with strong grocery sales offsetting a fall in non-food sales.
“Food sales continued to do well, as consumers switched from summer favourites to more autumnal meals. Food sales were up by 3.8 per cent, stronger than the rest of the UK, but not as strong as the record hit in July.”
Paul Martin, UK head of retail, KPMG said: “While any growth is positive, retailers must continue to pursue repositioning, restructuring and transformation programmes to stay afloat.”
