Covering the four weeks 03 - 30 August
2025
- Total sales in Scotland increased by 1.1% compared with
August 2024, when they had decreased by 0.5%. This was above the
3-month average increase of 0.2% and above the 12-month average
increase of 0.3%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a
year-on-year increase of 0.3%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland decreased by 0.4% compared with
August 2024, when they had decreased by 0.3%. This was above the
3-month average decrease of 1.4% and below the 12-month average
decrease of 0.2%.
- Scottish Sales increased by 2.2% on a like-for-like basis
compared with August 2024, when they had decreased by 0.3%. This
was above the 3-month average increase of 1.2% and above the
12-month average increase of 1%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland increased by 2.4% compared
with August 2024, when they had decreased by 0.7%. This was above
the 3-month average increase of 1.6% and above the 12-month
average increase of 0.7%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland increased by 3.3% compared with August 2024, when they
had decreased by 0.3%. This was above the 3-month average
increase of 2.3% and above the 12-month average increase of 1.4%.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium,
said:
“Scottish retail sales grew during August, a decent performance
after an underwhelming three months. This was the best monthly
growth since April and was driven by sales of non-food products
and underpinned by both a rise in online purchases and an
improvement in shopper footfall.
“With pupils and students returning after the summer break to
schools, colleges, and universities; sales of computing related
items performed well, as did gaming consoles. Furniture fared
well too, in particular beds and bedside cabinets. Health and
beauty categories continued their run of positive growth and DIY
products also saw an uplift. Meanwhile, the total value of sales
of clothing and footwear sales weakened as shoppers opted for
pre-loved items instead of new.
“The modest growth in retail sales is encouraging with the
critical golden quarter of trading coming into view. However,
shopkeepers are being presented with a tricky balancing act as
they contend simultaneously with spiralling government-mandated
cost pressures. Retailers will be looking for some relief on the
latter when the Chancellor and Finance Secretary present their
respective Budgets before the end of the year.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure,
KPMG, said:
“The high summer temperatures continued throughout August, with
retail sales also on the rise.
Non-food goods grew around 2%, with moderate growth in the
housing market helping to continue the upturn in home related
purchases.
“Sales of many home goods have been seeing monthly increases
since the spike in property transactions ahead of the Stamp Duty
changes in April. Home appliances, accessories, and DIY and
garden goods all saw sales growth in August. New product
launches also boosted mobile phone sales, with computing related
purchases rising ahead of the new school year.
“Retailers will be reflecting upon their summer performance and
what has and hasn't sold well, as they plan their stock levels
for the final ‘golden' quarter of the year that includes Black
Friday and Christmas.”
