SCOTLAND'S retail sector received a boost as the country experienced the highest year-on-year increase in shopper numbers across the UK last month.

In September, footfall in ­Scotland was two per cent higher than the same time in 2013, up on the 1.8 per cent rise reported in August.

David Martin, head of policy and external affairs at the Scottish Retail Consortium, said Scotland continued to perform well after a strong set of results in August.

He said: "Over the past six months footfall has increased in all but one of those months.

"This is an encouraging sign that the improvements we have see in both consumer confidence and the wider economy is feeding through to more consumers in store."

The data, produced for the British Retail Consortium and the associated Springboard footfall monitor, which claims to be a "leading provider of retail performance insights", records customer activity in high streets, town and city shopping centres, and out­-of-­town shopping centres.

Their figures show Scotland recorded the highest footfall increase across the UK, with the south-east of England following with a 1.4 per cent rise, and Northern Ireland with 0.2 per cent.

All other regions and countries reported a decline in shopper numbers for the September, bringing the UK average down by 0.9 per cent compared to a year ago.

The figures also showed that across the UK, out-of-town stores reported the only rise in footfall, up by 0.5 per cent compared to a year ago. Footfall on the high street was down by 0.6 per cent on last year, while that for city and town shopping centres was 2.6 per cent down on the previous year for September, the deepest decline since October 2013.

Diane Wehrle, retail insights director at Springboard, said the rise in Scotland was a positive result in the face of an overall drop across the UK. However, she added that success in the coming months would hinge on the fashion retailers' performances in central shopping centres.

"High streets and out-of-town locations are the clear winners, while shopping centres - which are dominated by fashion retailers -suffered from the unusually warm weather in September and the concomitant impact on fashion sales.

"While out-of-town locations still recorded a positive result in September, reflecting the positive sales in furniture and household goods, the fact the increase in footfall is by far the most modest of any month in 2014 suggests this channel has felt the impact of the poor performance in fashion. A strong indicator their success now also hinges on this sector."

Mr Martin said that, while retailers had played the part of Scotland's footfall boost, with "unprecedented levels of competition keeping prices down and maximising choice", he called on the Scottish Government to secure a business environment in which retailers had greater encouragement to trade and flourish.

He added: "One need only look at the state of our high streets and town centres to see the impact an outdated and broken system of business rates is having.

"Fundamental reform of this tax would stimulate investment, drive greater consumer choice and sustain the recovery."

Minister for Local Government and Planning Derek Mackay said the figures showed signs of optimism among retailers and shoppers. He said: "Our town centres shou ld be vibrant, attractive and safe places where local people and visitors alike want to spend their time and money."

He added that the Government's Town Centre Action Plan has introduced a series of initiatives to diversify and invigorate them. The majority of retail premises are paying zero or reduced business rates, and schemes were in place to assist small businesses.

He said: "However, we cannot do this alone and I am urging private, public and community-sector organisations who have a vested interest in our towns to work in partnership with the Scottish Government to breathe new life into town centres."