Retail sales saw ‘solid’ growth in final month of 2024, experts say
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Scottish retail sales saw “solid growth” last month but retailers will still be hoping for a “brighter” 2025, according to industry experts. Data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) KPMG Scottish retail sales monitor showed that total sales in Scotland increased by 0.8% compared with December 2023, when they had grown 1.9%.
This was above the three-month average decrease of 0.8% and above the 12-month average decrease of 0.4%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a year-on-year increase of 1.8%. On a like-for-like basis, Scottish sales increased by 2.0% compared with December 2023, when they had increased by 1.0%.
This is above the three-month average of 0.0% and above the 12-month average decline of 0.3%. David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: “Scottish retail sales saw solid growth in December as Black Friday and Christmas helped retailers to their best monthly performance of an otherwise flat golden trading quarter and tepid 2024.
“Overall, the value of Scottish retail sales rose by 1.8% in real terms during December. “Food sales were flat, reflecting consumers cutting back a little alongside significant price competition between grocers competing for festive purchases. “Non-food trading was more mixed. Computing and gaming did well alongside home appliances and health and beauty products.
