SCOTLAND’S High streets enjoyed some their best sales for two years during the run up to Christmas, despite the collapse of major retail brands like HMV, Jessops and Comet.
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) said total sales in December increased by 1.5% against the previous year, while like-for-like figures which strip out factors such as new store openings rose by 0.3%.
It’s thought consumers elected to lay aside their belt-tightening to treat family and friends at Christmas.
Retails chiefs said the rise was the strongest growth seen since 2010, excluding Easter.
SRC director Fiona Moriarty said she hopes the figures signal “the beginning of a permanent turnaround” for Scotland’s high streets.
“Coming at the end of a relentlessly tough year for Scottish customers and retailers, this is a relatively good result,” added Ms Moriarty.
“For the first time in nearly two years, Scottish sales growth was not below the UK figure.
“At least when set against retailers’ low expectations, that is something to celebrate.”
Total food sales increased by 1.4% on the back of strong demand for luxuries like smoked salmon, but when shop-price food inflation of 4.1% is taken into account they fell by 2.7% in real terms.
Major chains continue to be hit by a lack of consumer spending most recently in the shape of HMV and Jessops, which have both called in administrators, with the prospective loss of more than 6,000 jobs.
David McCorquodale, head of retail for KPMG, warned January would be a challenging month for stores as shoppers pay off debt.
He also said 2013 could follow a familiar pattern to last year, with the deferral of discretionary spending.
“We’re not seeing a major surge in Christmas spending here, but for a change December’s total sales and like-for-likes have risen in line with the rest of the UK,” Mr McCorquodale added.
“It seems that bargain hunting remained the order of the day as many consumers held off until discounts became available, which they did in various guises in the 10 days before Christmas.”