Covering the 5 weeks of 30 November 2025 – 3 January
2026
- Total sales in Scotland increased by 0.4% compared with
December 2024, when they had increased by 0.8%. This was below
the 3-month average increase of 0.8% and below the 12-month
average increase of 0.8%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a
year-on-year decrease of 0.2%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland increased by 1.1% compared with
December 2024, when sales were 0.0%. This was below the 3-month
average increase of 1.4% and above the 12-month average increase
of 0.4%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland decreased by 0.1% compared
with December 2024, when they had increased by 1.5%. This was
below the 3-month average increase of 0.2% and below the 12-month
average increase of 1.2%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland decreased by 0.2% compared with December 2024, when they
had increased by 6.1%. This was below the 3-month average
increase of 0.2% and below the 12-month average increase of 1.7%.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium,
said:
“There was little Christmas cheer for Scotland's shopkeepers as
the total value of retail sales inched up by a meagre 0.4% during
December. Trading over the so-called ‘golden quarter' fared a
touch better but failed to sparkle and 2025 as a whole was
frankly unspectacular. Lingering concerns over the cost of living
and economy meant consumers were fewer in number and those who
did shop continued to take a parsimonious approach towards
spending.
“Click and collect purchases proved popular particularly in the
days immediately prior to Christmas. Other bright spots were
sales of toys, cosmetics and perfumes, and festive fare. Shoppers
benefited from price competition on traditional staples such as
sprouts and parsnips as grocers sought to convince customers to
do the big shop with them. Non-food was more mixed. Computing,
gaming and fashion did ok but sales of electrical products, such
as TVs, and home textiles dwindled, as did Christmas decorations
as shoppers opted to reuse older baubles rather than splash out
on new items.
“Overall, customers tended to shop early by capitalising on Black
Friday promotions with the only noticeable uplift in purchasing
during December occurring in the post-Christmas sales as shoppers
took advantage of discounting and used vouchers they had received
as gifts. The festive period is key for many retailers as it's
when they generate the revenues that tide them over the fallow
months early in the new year when bills still need to be paid. It
remains to be seen whether this performance will be sufficient.
After a Scottish Budget which fell well short of offering stores
a business rate discount comparable to that on offer to
counterparts in England all eyes now turn towards May's election.
It reinforces the need for policymakers to bear down on the cost
of living for households but also the cost of doing business for
firms.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure,
KPMG, said:
“While there are individual festive
success stories among retailers, retail sales largely froze in
December. Total retail sales in Scotland only increased
marginally, with higher inflation also a factor in the sales
growth.
“It remains a challenging time for retailers, with consumer
cutting back on spending due to higher household bills and any
discretionary spend is being prioritised, particularly toward
holidays and home improvements. Retailers are also facing
increasing costs while needing to invest in innovation.
There will be an ever-sharpening focus on business models,
efficiencies and profit margin in the months
ahead.”
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
