Scottish retail sales flat in 2017 Quarter 3

During 2017 Quarter 3, the volume of retail sales was flat in Scotland (0.0 per cent growth), according to statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. At the same time, the value of retail sales in Scotland increased by 0.4 per cent, meaning that consumers spent more than they did last quarter to purchase the same amount of retail goods due to inflation.

Over the year since 2016 Quarter 3, the volume of retail sales in Scotland has increased by 0.6%. During the same period, the value of sales increased by 3.3% and average retail store prices in Scotland (the implied deflator) increased by 2.6% annually.

The equivalent figures for retail sales volumes in Great Britain as a whole, produced by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), are growth of 0.6% in the latest quarter, and 1.5% over the year since 2016 Quarter 3.

The Retail Sales Index for Scotland is a measure of the sales by retailers in Scotland. It is an early indicator of how the economy performed in the latest quarter and of the strength of consumer spending. The figures published today cover the period from July to September 2017.

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 of busier retail periods (such as Christmas). The data used for these statistics is also a component of the Scottish Quarterly GDP Publication, accounting for approximately 5% of the Scottish economy.

Further information on Scottish economic statistics can be accessed online.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/About