Flat start to Golden Quarter for Scottish retail
SCOTTISH shoppers have been making more trips to the shops in the lead-up to Christmas, but with little change at the tills.
According to the latest data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), Scottish footfall increased by 0.8% during the four weeks to 26 October against the same time last year.
There was also a particularly strong performance in shopping centres, which saw an increase of 3.5%.
Despite this, many made visits without buying as total sales in Scotland during the four weeks to 27 October only increased by a dismal 0.1% year-on-year, when adjusted for inflation.
The SRC has said this poor performance will only add to the concern retailers have about the upcoming Scottish Budget, and whether or not it will help inject some confidence into Scottish shoppers during the Golden Quarter.
David Lonsdale, director at the SRC, said: “Hopefully, falling prices at shop tills will buoy consumer confidence and encourage consumer spending – not just browsing.
“With attention now firmly turning towards the Scottish Budget in December, ministers and MSPs must not add to the financial pressures on households and should avoid compounding the mountainous extra statutory cost burdens facing retailers.”
