Scottish retail sales contracts 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019

The Chief Statistician has released statistics showing that the amount of retail goods bought in Scotland fell by -0.8% during October to December 2019. Over the same period Great Britain as a whole saw -1.0% contraction.

The amount spent on retail sales (not adjusted for inflation) contacted by -0.6% during October to December 2019. Over the same period Great Britain as a whole saw -0.9% contraction.

Compared to 2018, the amount of retail goods bought in Scotland in 2019 grew by 1.1%. In Great Britain as a whole, 2019 sales grew by 3.4%.

Background

The full statistical publication is available, including a visual summary of key findings and detailed results back to 2008.

All estimates are seasonally adjusted to account for busier retail periods (such as the peak season at Christmas). The data used for these statistics are also used in quarterly GDP statistics, accounting for approximately 5% of Scotland’s onshore economy.

Figures for Great Britain as a whole are produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)

Further information on Scottish economic statistics is available.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff.