Scottish retail sales rose 6.2% year-on-year in August, according to new figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Adjusting for shop price inflation, the year-on-year rise in sales volumes was 1.1%, the data shows.
SRC director David Lonsdale said: “Growth was seen in both food and the more discretionary non-food categories, albeit the latter slowed somewhat.
“Demand for clothing and footwear, especially for back-to-school ranges, was weaker than expected, albeit sales of warmer clothing including knitwear increased.”
Paul Martin, UK head of retail at accountancy firm and survey sponsor KPMG, added: “Households across the country will be taking a long hard look at budgets… in order to factor in the increased cost of energy and double-digit [percentage] inflation. With Christmas just three pay days away, it’s likely the brakes will be firmly applied on non-essential spending for most people.”
