SCOTTISH retail sales fell by 0.2% in August compared with the same month in 2025. Food sales decreased by 0.2% during the same period, while non-food sales also fell by 0.2%.
The findings are revealed in the latest SRC-KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor.
David Lonsdale, director at the Scottish Retail Consortium, said, “The growth in retail sales seen over late spring and summer petered out in August, with a small decline across both food and more discretionary categories. These flatlining figures weren’t a huge surprise, as shopper footfall during the month had faltered.
“Grocery sales dipped slightly, and have grown by a measly 0.4% on average during each of the past 12 months. Discretionary categories have fared considerably better this past year, but growth there fizzled out too. The bright spot was computing and related items, which benefited from pupils and students returning to their studies after the summer break. Clothing performed so-so with shoppers looking to save by switching to pre-loved items instead of new. Footwear, furniture, and household appliances all struggled.
“Hopefully, this stagnation in sales will prove short-lived. What hasn’t stagnated however has been the growth in government initiatives impacting retail, which is a worry. The upcoming UK and Scottish budgets will test whether policymakers are paying attention to the travails of the retail industry, which continues to grapple with elevated commodity and statutory cost pressures. Both upcoming fiscal statements should be unabashed budgets for shoppers; which help retailers keep down prices, and which aid the rejuvenation of shopping destinations.”
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail & leisure at KPMG, commented, “Summer started strongly for Scotland’s retailers, but sales cooled off in August, failing to sustain another month of growth. Retailer focus now moves to planning for the final quarter of the year and the lead-in to Black Friday month.”
