Commentary:
The improvement in retail sales in Scotland recorded during August continued throughout September. The rate of growth in total retail sales (including stores opened in the last year) reached 8.3% in September, the fastest rate of growth in six months. Food sales continue to pick up the pace with growth climbing to 9.4%. The underlying three month trend is also rising (8.4%). Growth in non-food sales accelerated to 7.4% from 5.4% last month, also the fastest rate of growth in six months and well above the three month average (6%).
The pick-up in growth also recovered on a like-for-like basis with sales growth reaching 3.3%, above the recent six month average (2.9%). Food sales growth dipped slightly, falling to 3.3% from 3.7% the previous month but remain close to the recent six month average (3.6%).
Non-food sales growth doubled from 1.6% to 3.2% helping drive the overall increase in like-for-like sales and showing that the increase in total sales was not purely driven by greater floor space. Non-food like-for-like sales are now well above the recent six month average (2.3%) and the underlying three month trend has improved for two consecutive months.
Non-food sales growth continues to be driven by retailers outwith the clothing and footwear sector where both like-for-like and total sales growth continue to do well. By comparison, the clothing and footwear sector continues to face tougher trading conditions with like-for-like sales growth continuing to fall.
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Scottish Retail Consortium
marketing@alchempro.com
