Scottish retailers saw a fall in like-for-like sales last month as figures slipped by 2.8%, as reported by the Scottish Retail Consortium/KPMG Monitor.
The SRC reported a 2.4% decrease in total retail sales in comparison to a 0.9% decline in the rest of the UK.
Similar to the UK, clothing sales were hit by the mild weather last month, while sales of electronic goods slumped as consumers anticipate Black Friday deals. Food sales also suffered in the period, falling 3.2% on last year.
KPMG‘s Head of Retail David McCorquodale said October‘s figures were “a sobering reminder of the frailty of the economic recovery”, the BBC reported.
“There is no doubt the declines in Scottish retail sales in October, when measured against a relatively weak month last year, are disappointing for retailers when set against mainly dry weather and temperatures only marginally warmer than average.”
