Scottish retailers hoping for last minute festive frenzy - PwC

Over the last week, almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of 100 high street retailers were on sale or advertising promotions - such as 3 for 2 deals - in their shop window. This is on a par with the same time last year (75 per cent) and 2013 (72 per cent). Average price discounts being advertised were 40 per cent, slightly less than the 45 per cent seen last year.

And when compared to this time last week, advertised promotions are up nine percentage points and average price discounts are up five percentage points.

Martin Cowie, head of private business, PwC in Scotland, said: “Many high street retailers are counting on a big final pre-Christmas weekend. As a result, the level of promotional activity has moved up another gear as people get ready for the frantic last weekend of shopping before the 25th.

“With no sight of the cold snap and snow flurries anticipated, the continuing mild weather will be a concern to clothing retailers in particular. Expect to see further discount activity into next week as savvy last minute shoppers hold our for a few final Christmas bargains

“Despite the rising trend of digital sales that we’ve seen year on year, some retailers have again been caught out by the continued strength of consumer shift to online, and as a result will find themselves holding too much of their stock in stores. They may find it cheaper to sell at a discount in store, rather than moving the stock back to their distribution centres to fulfil online demand, and time is running out to do that anyway.

“With only six shopping days to go, it’s all to play for on Scotland’s high streets.”