Food sales drive growth
Like-for-like sales in Scotland grew by 1.6 per cent in September, a big improvement on the 0.4 per cent recorded in August. Total sales were also up by 3.8 per cent during the period.

Scottish Retail Consortium director Fiona Moriarty said: 'The growth in sales is much welcomed from the difficult month retailers experienced in August and the worry that Scottish sales were starting to fall in line with the rest of the UK. With Christmas approaching, retailers in Scotland will be hoping the growth in sales becomes steadier, ending any cause for concern.

The pick up in sales was almost entirely caused by an upturn in food sales. Clothing sales were weaker than in July and August, with a slow uptake of winter lines. Footwear sales were also tarnished by the mild weather. Furniture sales were mixed across Scotland, while homewares and DIY remained difficult.

The Royal Bank of Scotland group chief economist Andrew McLaughlin said: 'Dour Scots, no such thing, according to recent confidence survey data. Perhaps it is this optimism that has helped the retail sector in Scotland continue to outperform its UK counterpart.'

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