SCOTTISH retail sales volumes rose by 0.8 per cent during the second quarter, official figures have shown.

The Scottish Government figures, published today, also show that sales volumes in the three months to June were up by 2.9 per cent on the same period of last year.

Euan Murray, relationship director in Barclays' corporate banking division in Scotland, said: "Scotland's retail sector is building on the momentum of a positive first quarter despite mixed reports across the market. Retail parks continue to outperform the high street but both have benefited from the impact of a late Easter and the onset of summer holiday shopping."

Scottish retail sales had edged up 0.1 per cent during the first quarter of the year.