The SRC has said that 30% of retail sales take place in the first four months of the year. The consortium has estimated that those retailers who have been closed have missed out on over £2 billion in sales over the 18-week lockdown.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy of the SRC, said: “Retailers will be relieved they now have certainty over the re-opening of all shops on the 26th of April, especially those whose stores have not been able to trade since Boxing Day.

“Nonetheless, shop reopening alone will not be a silver bullet for the industry. The cumulative impact of this lockdown has been immense. Stores affected by the lockdown have missed out on over £2bn over the 18-week period. It will take time for retailers to recover, especially while town and city centre footfall remains depressed. Hopefully the confirmation that travel restrictions are being relaxed will be the start of shoppers returning to our high streets.

“In this context, a proportionate and pragmatic approach to legislation, ideally alongside some form of consumer stimulus, is vital if we want to see Scotland’s shops rally after this bitter winter and slow spring.”