Latest Scottish total till data figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium
![David Lonsdale, director at the Scottish Retail Consortium](https://scottishgrocer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/david-lonsdale.jpg)
LOVE was in the air last month as sales across Scotland picked up speed with Valentine’s Day, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).
In the latest SRC-KPMG Scottish retail sales monitor, total sales in Scotland increased by 9% during the four weeks to 25 February compared to the previous year. Adjusted for inflation, this number still remained a positive at 0.6%.
Director of the SRC, David Lonsdale, has put this success down to Valentine’s Day buying as many consumers decided to spoil their loved ones.
He said: “Scottish retail sales held up better than expected in February. While the real-terms growth rate was admittedly slight, it was nonetheless in positive territory for a fourth consecutive month.
“However, the challenges for retail are far from being in the rear-view mirror and the costs crunch affecting households and firms could make for a bumpy few months ahead.”
These concerns were echoed by Paul Martin, partner and UK head of retail at KPMG, who said: “The outlook continues to be challenging, with falling consumer spending in real terms and, as more people choose to shop by ‘occasion’, retailers will be pulling out the stops for a buoyant Mothers’ Day and Easter.”