Retail sales in Scotland grew by 1.5% like for like in October, with non-food sales little better than flat.

Figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium show that non-food was up just 0.4% like for like, with food up 2.8%. The total sales performance was stronger, up 4.9% with food up 7.5% and non-food up 2.5%.

The like for like performance was slower than the UK as a whole, which recorded a 3.8% rise overall in October. However, Scottish sales held up better than the rest of the UK last Autumn, so the comps north of the border are stronger.

The milder weather compared to last October - when it snowed in Scotland - held back clothing sales. Homewares and furniture fared better against a very weak showing last year.

SRC spokeman Richard Dodd described the performance as “middling.”