Scottish retail sales grow 2.1 per cent

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician in the latest Retail Sales Index for Scotland release, covering the period July to September 2016, show that the volume of Retail Sales in Scotland increased by 2.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2016 and grew by 4.9 per cent annually.

The value of Retail Sales, without adjusting for inflation, grew by 2.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2016 and grew by 3.2 per cent annually.

Notes to editors

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PubRSI/RSIS2016Q3

The Retail Sales Index for Scotland (RSIS) is a measure of the goods sold by retailers in Scotland. It is an early indicator of how the economy is performing and of the strength of consumer spending.

Figures are based on sales through the till in the retail industry of:

  • the amount of money spent (value) or
  • the quantity bought (volume), which is adjusted for inflation

All estimates are seasonally adjusted to account for of busier retail periods (such as Christmas).

Further information on Scottish economic statistics can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/

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

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