Scottish retail sales grow 0.2 per cent

The Retail Sales Index for Scotland release covering the period April to June 2016, show that The value of Retail Sales, without adjusting for inflation, remained flat in the second quarter of 2016 (0.0 per cent change) and grew by 0.7 per cent annually.

Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Government’s latest Retail Sales Index for Scotland, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy and external affairs for the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Whilst a slight improvement, todays’ sales figures continue the recent trend of effectively flat retail sales. This comes against the backdrop of an industry going through an intense period of structural, economic, and regulatory change.

“Retailers are responding to this environment by becoming more innovative and productive through investment in people, technology, and more efficient logistics systems. However, that’s difficult when facing weak retail sales, falling shop prices, and rising government-imposed tax and regulatory costs. When the uncertainty resulting from the Brexit vote is also considered it becomes clear just how hard it is on the high street right now.

“We hope the Scottish Government will recognise these challenges facing the industry and work with us to support retailers to help grow the Scottish Economy.”