Retailers have reported a pick-up in sales last month despite many households still feeling the squeeze.
Sales increased 2.1% compared with October last year, with food purchases leading the rise.
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) said the growth is reassuring after a September sales increase of 1.8% and a summer sales boost of 4% and 3.5% in July and August respectively.
But October figures show like-for-like sales, which leave out factors such as new store openings, were down 0.5% on the previous year.
SRC director Fiona Moriarty said: “These figures show there’s all to play for as Christmas approaches.
“It’s reassuring to see a partial pick-up in growth after a slowdown in the previous month, but it’s clear that many households are still feeling the squeeze and keen to keep some money aside for seasonal spending closer to December.
“Overall this is an acceptable result which tallies with the relatively stable consumer confidence levels of the last few months.”
