THE value of Scottish retail sales in August was down by 2.2 per cent on the same month of 2015, the latest industry figures show, although the year-on-year pace of decline in the food category slowed sharply.

In line with the pattern in recent years, the year-on-year movement in retail sales value was worse in Scotland than in the UK as a whole. The British Retail Consortium has reported that UK retail sales value last month was down 0.3 per cent on last August.

The SRC has noted the boost to overall UK retail sales from a stronger housing market and economic performance in London and south-east England.

Clothing and footwear sales were particularly weak in Scotland in August, even though the weather was fairly average for the time of year, the SRC figures show.

The value of food sales in Scotland in August was down by 0.3 per cent on the same month in 2015. In July, food sales north of the Border were down by 1.6 per cent on a year earlier. But the year-on-year fall in non-food sales accelerated to 3.7 per cent in August, from 1.9 per cent in July.

The year-on-year drop in Scottish retail sales value accelerated to 2.2 per cent in August, from 1.8 per cent in July, and 1.4 per cent in June.

David McCorquodale, Edinburgh-based head of accountancy firm and SRC survey sponsor KPMG’s UK retail sector practice, cited the possibility of “more prolonged post-Brexit blues in Scotland” when the sales figures for July were published last month.

Commenting on today’s figures for August, he said: “Clothing and footwear experienced a sluggish performance despite the weather being fairly average for the month. It is beginning to feel like a combination of changes in consumer psychology, the lure of other leisure activities and experiences, and perhaps a lack of inspiration in the fashion world are impacting momentum and growth in this sector.”

SRC director David Lonsdale said: “Retail sales performance in Scotland was uninspiring last month.”

Referring to the forthcoming Scottish Budget, he added: “Ministers should be wary about adding to the pressure on household disposable incomes at a time when consumer confidence remains fragile.”