Sunny weather boosts Scotland’s food sales

Shoppers enjoying barbecues and picnics helped give Scottish shops a boost as July food sales hit their highest level in five years, research released today shows.

Food sales for last month increased by 5.6 per cent, which is the highest growth since July 2013 excluding Easter distortions, according to the latest Scottish retail sales monitor from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and KPMG.

Total sales in Scotland last month increased by 1.1 per cent, compared with 0.7 per cent in July 2017.

David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said: “Shoppers continued to enjoy the super summer weather, with gin, ice, and electric fans all selling well.

“Food sales were particularly strong, with the highest July figures for five years. Consumers continued to buy food for picnics and barbecues, along with summer drinks.

“Non-food sales were less impressive, falling back in line with the longer-term trend.”