Scottish retail sales grow 0.6 per cent

The value of Retail Sales, without adjusting for inflation, contracted by 0.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 and contracted by 0.9 per cent annually.

David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Retail sales figures in Scotland have consistently been at a low ebb over the past few years, with retailers having to work ever harder to maintain let alone grow sales at a time of profound structural, economic and regulatory change for the industry.

“Responding positively to these changes and becoming more productive will require retailers to invest in new technology, a higher skilled workforce, revamped warehouses and logistics capabilities. That is all the more challenging against a backdrop in which retail sales are weak, shop prices are falling and a seemingly relentless rise in government-imposed tax and regulatory costs. Indeed, the cumulative burden of government-imposed cost increases has become an acute issue for retailers.

“That’s why all of Scotland’s political parties should commit in their election manifestos to an ambitious review early in the next Parliament which delivers a reformed and more competitive business rates system, and to developing with the industry a joint strategy which supports and nurtures the growth of the retail industry over the decade ahead. With half of VAT receipts set to be assigned to the Scottish Parliament our politicians at Holyrood have a direct stake in facilitating a flourishing retail industry.”