Like-for-likes up despite sluggish clothes sales
Strong demand for groceries underpinned last month's Scottish like-for-like sales growth of 3.2 per cent on the same time last year, despite shoppers being sluggish to purchase autumn and winter clothing ranges.

In its monthly retail sales monitor the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) added that, when new store openings were included, total sales had jumped 8.6 per cent on September last year.

SRC director Fiona Moriarty said: 'September's unusually mild weather meant customers were not yet thinking about purchasing traditional winter and cold weather items, but nor did they want to add to their summer wardrobes.

'This has resulted in a sluggish uptake of autumn lines - such as boots, jackets and winter coats - and the lack of a clear end to summer, so far, this year has forced retailers to discount autumn goods that would normally sell well in September.'

Moriarty added that the warmer weather had helped food retailers and they experienced their fastest growth in sales since July.