Covering the 4 weeks 2 - 29 November 2025
- Total sales in Scotland increased by 0.1% compared with
November 2024, when they had decreased by 2.9%. This was below
the 3-month average increase of 1.1% and below the 12-month
average increase of 0.9%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a
year-on-year decrease of 0.5%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland increased by 0.7% compared with
November 2024, when they had increased by 0.6%. This was below
the 3-month average increase of 1.5% and above the 12-month
average increase of 0.3%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland decreased by 0.5% compared
with November 2024, when they had decreased by 5.8%. This was
below the 3-month average increase of 0.8% and below the 12-month
average increase of 1.4%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland decreased by 0.4% compared with November 2024, when they
had decreased by 10.8%. This was below the 3-month average
increase of 0.9% and below the 12-month average increase of 2.3%.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish
Retail Consortium, said:
“Scottish retail hopes of a strong end to 2025 are hanging by a
thread after disappointing November retail sales. Adjusted for
inflation sales fell by 0.5 percent; despite the inclusion of
Black Friday.
“Fashion, beauty, and electrical sales were all mediocre as
nervousness about the economy and poor weather kept shoppers at
home. Food sales were also disappointing, albeit that is
partly a consequence of strong competition between grocery
retailers keeping down prices.
“Retailers are now on tenterhooks for a last-minute surge in
Christmas sales to round off what will otherwise be a humdrum
year. However, if sales don't materialise then retailers
last hope will be the Scottish Government's Budget in January. If
the Finance Secretary doesn't deliver a business rates model
which is at least as competitive as the new lower rates in
England, then it will be a long winter for retailers.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure,
KPMG, said:
“Scotland's retailers will be disappointed that Black Friday
period promotions failed to deliver the boost that they were
hoping for, with household costs and nervousness about the
economy continuing to impact discretionary buying. But, as
the Christmas decorations go up, hopefully retail sales growth
does too - ending 2025 with some festive cheer for the sector.”
MONTHLY RETAIL SALES YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE GROWTH
RANKING BY CATEGORY
MONTHLY RETAIL SALES YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE GROWTH BY
CATEGORY
NON-FOOD MONTHLY RETAIL SALES YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE
GROWTH, INCLUDING EFFECT OF ONLINE SALES
-ENDS-
