SCOTTISH retail sales volumes rose by 1.1% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to September, official figures show, but this sharp increase trailed a 1.6% advance in Great Britain as a whole.
The growth in retail sales north of the Border in the third quarter marked an acceleration from a 0.4% rate of increase in volumes in the three months to June.
It will reinforce hopes that Scotland achieved a significant increase in overall gross domestic product in the third quarter. Figures for GDP in Scotland in the third quarter are due to be published in January.
However, growth in retail sales volumes in Scotland has now trailed that in Great Britain as a whole significantly for two consecutive quarters. In Great Britain as a whole, retail sales volumes grew by 1% in the second quarter.
Retail sales volumes in the third quarter in Scotland were 2% higher than in the same period of last year. This was adrift of a year-on-year rise in sales of 2.7% in Great Britain as a whole in the three months to September.
Euan Murray, relationship director in Barclays' corporate banking business in Scotland, was enthusiastic about the latest figures for retail sales north of the Border. He said: "These positive figures reflect a strong summer for food, drink and clothing sales.
"Scotland has also enjoyed an increased level of tourist visits this year, leading to a surge in spending across the country."
Mr Murray added: "These highlights, allied with the recent news that the UK's GDP has grown at its fastest pace in more than three years, will give retailers further confidence as we move into the critical Christmas trading period."
Figures published last week by the Office for National Statistics showed UK GDP grew by 0.8% in the three months to September. This is the fastest quarterly UK GDP growth since the April to June 2010 period.
The value of Scottish retail sales, without adjusting for inflation, rose 1.2% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to September, to stand 3.3% higher than in the same period of 2012.
In Great Britain as a whole, the value of retail sales increased by 1.8% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to September.
The value of sales in the third quarter in Great Britain was up by 4.2% on the same period of last year.
Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "We welcome (the) retail sales index statistics. These show that retail sales performance has continued to grow over the past year. These figures follow on from recent GDP and labour market statistics, which show employment in Scotland is at its highest level since the summer of 2008 and a continued growth in the economy."
Data published earlier this month showed the Scottish economy grew by 0.6% in the second quarter.
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