According to recent data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), total sales in Scotland were flat at 0.0 per cent when compared with February 2025, when they had decreased by 0.4 per cent .
When adjusted for inflation, there was a decrease year-on-year of 1.1 per cent .
The body highlighted that total food sales in the country had increased 1.2 per cent compared when compared with the same period last year. However, this was below the 3-month average increase of 1.4 per cent and above the 12 month average increase of 0.3 per cent .
David Lonsdale director of the Scottish Retail Consortium said: “Scottish retail sales slowed to a halt in February. Worries that January’s sparkling showing was an outlier appear to have been confirmed with flat sales figures correlating with a fall in shopper footfall.
“Purchases associated with Valentine’s Day were a bright spot, buoyed by sales of perfumes, cosmetics, watches, and jewellery as Scots treated loved ones. Food sales also did well during the month. In contrast, receipts from sales of clothing, footwear, and furniture underwhelmed.
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Non-food sales declined by 1.7 per cent , which was below the 3-month average increase of 1.0 per cent .
When adjusted for online sales, non-food sales in Scotland had decreased by 1.5 per cent when compared with February 2025. This was below the 12 month average increase of 1.9 per cent.
Lonsdale added: “The costs crunch affecting households and firms remain real and could be exacerbated by prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which may make for a bumpy few months ahead.
“As such, it is imperative that the political parties seeking to form the next Scottish government think carefully about the real-world impacts of their proposals and avoid layering even more regulatory and cost burdens onto business. Without a dose of realism and restraint from policymakers, Scotland’s retailers will struggle to invest in stores, high streets, and in keeping down prices for shoppers”
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