SCOTTISH retail sales volumes grew by 0.8 per cent in the second quarter, ahead of a 0.7 per cent increase in Great Britain as a whole, official figures show.

However, year-on-year growth in sales volumes north of the Border in the second quarter, at 2.4 per cent, was well adrift of that in Great Britain as a whole, at 4.4 per cent.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “These figures highlight a positive picture for retail sales, with the volume of retail sales in Scotland up 0.8 per cent in the second quarter of 2015, slightly above the GB rate, and by 2.4 per cent over the year."