Scottish retail sales fall 0.5 per cent

The volume of Retail Sales in Scotland fell by 0.5 per cent after seasonal adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The Retail Sales Index for Scotland is a measure of the goods sold by retailers in Scotland. It is an early indicator of how the economy is performing and of the strength of consumer spending. The figures published today cover the period from October to December 2016.

The latest Retail Sales Index for Scotland shows that the volume of Retail Sales in Scotland (i.e. the quantity bought) decreased by 0.5 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016 (once seasonal effects had been taken into account), compared to growth of 1.2 per cent in Great Britain as whole. On an annual basis, compared to the fourth quarter of 2016, the volume of Scottish Retail Sales grew by 3.1 per cent. Over the same period the volume of retail sales in Great Britain as a whole grew by 5.6 per cent.

The Retail Sales Index for Scotland also presents information on the value of retail sales in Scotland (i.e. how much was spent) and on the relative sales by large and small retail businesses.

Background

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PubRSI/RSIS2016Q4

All estimates are seasonally adjusted to account for of busier retail periods (such as Christmas). These statistics are a component of the Scottish Quarterly GDP Publication, accounting for approximately 5.3% of the Scottish economy.

Further information on Scottish economic statistics can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About