Covering the four weeks 06 April - 03 May 2025
- Total sales in Scotland increased by 4.5% compared with April
2024, when they had decreased by 4.0%. This was above the 3-month
average increase of 1.4% and above the 12-month average decrease
of 0.2%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a year-on-year
increase of 4.6%.
- Scottish Sales increased by 5.6% on a like-for-like basis
compared with April 2024, when they had decreased by 3.6%. This
was above the 3-month average increase of 2.3% and above the
12-month average increase of 0.3%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland increased by 2.2% compared with
April 2024, when they had decreased by 3.0%. This was above the
3-month average increase of 0.3% and above the 12-month average
increase of 0.1%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland increased by 6.3% compared
with April 2024, when they had decreased by 4.9%. This was above
the 3-month average increase of 2.2% and above the 12-month
average decrease of 0.4%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland increased by 8.7% compared with April 2024, when they
had decreased by 7.1%. This was above the 3-month average
increase of 3.3% and above the 12-month average increase of 0.2%.
David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail
Consortium, said:
“Scottish retail sales sparkled in April, bolstered by the better
weather which brought shoppers out and by Easter falling later
this year. Driven largely by non-food sales it was the best
monthly performance for almost two years, positive news after a
lengthy period of decidedly tepid sales growth.
“Garden furniture and outdoor toys and games shone as shoppers
made the most of the sunnier conditions, as did DIY and computing
related purchases. Grocery sales performed well as households and
families entertained over the Easter holidays.
“Whether this unalloyed good news can be sustained however
remains to be seen. The prospect of a possible détente in the
global trade and tariffs dispute offers some grounds for
optimism, albeit retailers and their customers both remain
challenged by the relentless increases in statutory outgoings.
This requires policy makers to keep a tighter lid on the tax and
regulatory costs under their control.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail and Leisure,
KPMG
“The pace of retail sales growth picked up in April, with Easter
and the drier weather boosting clothing and garden related
sales. But, over the last three
months, Scottish retail sales have grown
by only around 2% on non-food items on average,
compared to the year previous. Consumers tell us they are
still taking steps to manage their household budgets, so
retailers will need to focus on how they can continue to unlock
spending over the coming months to keep the growth going -
including capitalising on purchases related to strong summer
holiday demand."
