YEAR-on-year growth in the value of Scottish retail sales accelerated in June to its fastest pace for more than two years, industry figures show.

The value of sales north of the Border last month was up 2.8% on June 2012, amid strong showings by food and clothing stores, according to figures published today by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC).

The SRC cited good weather as one factor behind the stronger sales growth. It also highlighted a build-up of "Murray-mania", ahead of Andy Murray's victory at Wimbledon, as something which had given Scottish consumers a boost in June.

The 2.8% year-on-year increase in Scottish retail sales value in June was slightly adrift of a corresponding 2.9% rise UK-wide, reported earlier this month by the British Retail Consortium. However, it is well ahead of the 0.8% year-on-year increase in Scottish retail sales value in May. It is also the fastest year-on-year pace of increase in Scottish retail sales value since April 2011.

And, with the BRC and market researcher Nielsen having calculated that shop prices in the UK in June were down 0.2% on a year earlier, the SRC declared that retail sales in Scotland were up by 3% year-on-year in June in real terms.

The value of food sales in Scotland last month was up 4% on June 2012.

The SRC noted this was well ahead of the BRC and Nielsen's annual UK food-price inflation rate of 2.7% for June, thus signalling significant year-on-year growth in the volume of food sales in Scotland last month.

Year-on-year growth in food sales in Scotland in June was also ahead of the UK average, the SRC said.

The value of non-food sales in Scotland in June was up 1.8% on the same month of last year. This implies strong year-on-year growth in the volume of non-food sales, the more discretionary element of consumer spending, given the BRC-Nielsen calculation that prices in this category in June were 1.9% lower than in the same month of 2012.

SRC director Fiona Moriarty said: "It's really positive to see the tentative boost in May gathered strong momentum in June, propelling Scottish sales growth to a level almost in line with the rest of the UK and its highest since April 2011. Warmer weather and a steady rise in consumer confidence are key factors behind this improvement."

She added: "Food was the stand-out performer in a month where all categories posted good results."

Ms Moriarty said sunshine and cautious optimism about the economy had put many people in the mood to stock up on seasonal, barbecue, and celebratory food.

And, highlighting strong demand for clothing, she said: "Non-food also saw a major improvement, (showing) that Scottish shoppers are still responding well to targeted promotions, while catching up on updating their wardrobes for summer after putting off purchases during the prolonged cold snap in spring."

David McCorquodale, head of accountancy firm and SRC survey sponsor KPMG's UK retail practice, said: "The warm glow of summer is finally being felt on the Scottish high streets. Food and non-food sales combined to give the strongest growth in total sales in Scotland since April 2011."

He noted Scottish retailers had enjoyed a second consecutive month of year-on-year growth in non-food sales, "with footwear and fashion leading the charge".

Mr McCorquodale added: "After a bitterly cold and wet spring, summer fashions are finally picking up. Clearance sales and promotions may have helped drive footfall, but there is no doubt that some sunshine helped to recover the lost sales of spring."

Predicting further year-on-year sales growth in the third quarter, he said: "Economic recovery in current climes is a long, relentless journey.

"However, there are signs in 2013 that consumers are feeling just a little more confident."