Covering the 4 weeks of 1 – 28 February 2026
- Total sales in Scotland were flat at 0.0% compared with
February 2025, when they had decreased by 0.4%. This was below
the 3-month average increase of 1.2% and below the 12-month
average increase of 1.0%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a
year-on-year decrease of 1.1%.
- Total Food sales in Scotland increased by 1.2% compared with
February 2025, when they had increased by 0.7%. This was below
the 3-month average increase of 1.4% and above the 12-month
average increase of 0.3%.
- Total Non-Food sales in Scotland decreased by 1.0% compared
with February 2025, when they had decreased by 1.3%. This was
below the 3-month average increase of 1.0% and below the 12-month
average increase of 1.5%.
- Adjusted for the effect of online sales, Non-Food sales in
Scotland decreased by 1.5% compared with February 2025, when they
had decreased by 0.6%. This was below the 3-month average
increase of 1.0% and below the 12-month average increase of 1.9%.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium,
said:
“Scottish retail sales slowed to a halt in February. Worries that
January's sparkling showing was an outlier appear to have been
confirmed with flat sales figures correlating with a fall in
shopper footfall.
“Purchases associated with Valentine's Day were a bright spot,
buoyed by sales of perfumes, cosmetics, watches, and jewellery as
Scots treated loved ones. Food sales also did well during the
month. In contrast receipts from sales of clothing, footwear, and
furniture underwhelmed.
“This brings an end to a seven-month run of pedestrian but
nonetheless positive growth. It reinforces our concern that the
challenges for retail are far from being in the rear-view mirror.
The costs crunch affecting households and firms remain real and
could be exacerbated by prolonged conflict in the Middle East,
which may make for a bumpy few months ahead. As such, it is
imperative that the political parties seeking to form the next
Scottish government think carefully about the real-world impacts
of their proposals and avoid layering even more regulatory and
cost burdens onto business. Without a dose of realism and
restraint from policymakers, Scotland's retailers will struggle
to invest in stores, high streets, and in keeping down prices for
shoppers.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure,
KPMG, said:
“After a strong January came a disappointing February, with no
sales growth overall for Scottish retailers. While some
channels, categories, and brands are showing there is still room
to thrive, the combination of ongoing business costs and limited
consumer spending is challenging others – with efficiency drives
and technological transformation continuing at pace.”
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
