Covering the 5 weeks 31 August – 04 October 2025
- Total sales in Scotland increased by 1.3% compared with
September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.5%. This was above
the 3-month average increase of 0.9% and above the 12-month
average increase of 0.5%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a
year-on-year decrease of 0.1%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland increased by 1.1% compared with
September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.7%. This was above
the 3-month average decrease of 0.1% and above the 12-month
average of 0%.
- Scottish Sales increased by 0.5% on a like-for-like basis
compared with September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.3%.
This was below the 3-month average increase of 1.3% and below the
12-month average increase of 1.1%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland increased by 1.4% compared
with September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.3%. This was
below the 3-month average increase of 1.7% and above the 12-month
average increase of 0.9%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland increased by 1.8% compared with September 2024, when
they had increased by 1%. This was below the 3-month average
increase of 2.2% and above the 12-month average increase of 1.4%.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish
Retail Consortium, said:
"Retail sales rose in line with shop price inflation in September
as shoppers kept a canny eye on their finances. This is the third
successive month of positive improving retail sales and the best
monthly figure since April and hopefully signals some appetite
from consumers ahead of the crucial Golden Trading Quarter
starting in October.
"Furniture did well across the month alongside this years' strong
categories of gaming, health and beauty, and toys. Conversely
fashion lines struggled as the combination of warmer weather and
Storm Amy deterred high street shoppers from updating their
wardrobes; albeit retailers will hope that spending is deferred
rather than cancelled.
"The tough truth is retailers are having to run very fast just to
keep pace with the very significant public policy costs imposed
on them in last year's UK and Scottish Budgets. With inflation
still increasing and little sign of the long-promised uplift in
economic growth as much pressure as ever will fall on strong
trading over the crucial Christmas period.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure,
KPMG, said:
“Overall sales grew in September, driven largely by household
goods and increased mobile phone sales, as prominent brands
launched new models. However, non-food sales are only
growing by around 1.7% on average over the last quarter in
Scotland, indicating that spending continues to be very targeted
as consumers remain cautious. As we enter the ‘golden'
quarter for the sector, retailers are planning product ranges and
promotions to try and increase that rate of sales growth.”
