Sun brings out Scottish shoppers

Scottish retailers received a boost from the warm weather

 last month according to the latest Scottish Retail Consortium-KPMG retail sales report, which showed that total sales in March were 1.8 per cent higher than a year ago, when they had declined 0.3 per cent, while like-for-like sales rose by 0.9 per cent, when they had fallen 3.9 per cent.

The SRC said that the sunny weather helped clothing, footwear and outdoor pursuits, and that food sale picked up slightly, but consumer caution continued to hit larger purchases. However, on both like-for-like and total measures, sales were still weaker than for the whole UK, and consumer confidence remained weaker in Scotland.

Ian Shearer, Scottish Retail Consortium Director, said: "Scotland's record-breaking March temperatures helped bring a badly-needed lift for the retail sector. These are the first positive sales figures since Christmas and the best results overall for nearly a year.

"But, on a cautious note, the comparison is with a March which was cold and weak a year ago and the sales increase is still a real-terms fall once inflation is factored in. Scotland's total sales grew at only half the rate of the UK as a whole and show Scottish retailers continue to face exceptionally tough conditions, hampered by low consumer confidence and reduced footfall.

“The boost is welcome but could just be purchases which have come earlier than usual, rather than additional spend. Some retailers face a struggle for survival as sales remain dependent on deep discounting. It will take more than a few weeks of warmth to bring Scottish retailing back to full health."