The number of shoppers hitting Scotland’s high streets grew last month, but they remain reluctant to splash the cash.
An SRC/Springboard retail monitor found footfall was up 3% year-on-year, an improvement from the 1% increase seen in April and significantly ahead of the wider UK performance, which saw a 0.7% decrease in the period.
However, cash returns through the tills only grew by 0.8% in Scotland last month, whereas the overall UK saw a 3.4% uplift.
Fiona Moriarty, Scottish Retail Consortium director, said: “Building on the tentative growth we saw in April, footfall growth in May was above the UK average and is an encouraging sign that improving consumer confidence and milder weather last month gave an incentive for more shoppers to venture out.
“A strong showing from high streets drove much of the overall increase. Unfortunately not all of this footfall growth translated into pounds spent in store as retail sales growth remained fairly flat at 0.8%, compared to a comparatively buoyant 3.4% across the rest of the UK.
“This suggests that whilst Scottish shoppers may be more willing to hit the high streets they remain reluctant to part with their hard earned cash, and are spending more time on the hunt for good deals and seasonal promotions.”
Springboard’s retail insights director Diane Wehrle said: “Two key trends are emerging in high streets that are affecting their performance.
“Firstly, footfall in regional cities is increasing whilst it is dropping in smaller towns, indicating that shoppers are increasingly gravitating towards larger destinations.
“Secondly, footfall outside of retail trading hours is increasing whilst declining over the daytime period. At least in part this is likely to account for the adverse performance of shopping centres, the majority of which have a very modest leisure offer.
“Town centres benefit from greater diversity than the majority of shopping centres, and the evening economy is clearly protecting and insulating the high street.”