Mobile phone launches help Scotland’s shops to best sales figures since April

Scotland’s shops last month recorded their best sales figures since April – with the launch of new mobile phone models helping to give stores a boost.

With both Apple’s iPhone and Samsung Galaxy launching new models in September, increased mobile phone sales were highlighted as being one reason why overall sales grew in September.

Total sales in Scotland increased by 1.3% compared with September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.5%, according to the data.

The latest SRC (Scottish Retail Consortium) KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor showed that total non-food sales grew by 1.4% when compared with September 2024, when they had decreased by 0.3%.

Food sales were up by 1.1% when compared with September 2024, the data showed (Julien Behal/PA) PA Media

Meanwhile, total food sales were up by 1.1% compared with September last year, when they had decreased by 0.7%.

Linda Ellett, the UK head of consumer, retail and leisure, KPMG, said: “Overall sales grew in September, driven largely by household goods and increased mobile phone sales, as prominent brands launched new models.”

But she added: “Non-food sales are only growing by around 1.7% on average over the last quarter in Scotland, indicating that spending continues to be very targeted as consumers remain cautious.”

With retailers approaching the key “golden quarter” sales period in the run-up to Christmas, Ms Ellet said businesses would be “planning product ranges and promotions to try and increase that rate of sales growth”.

SRC deputy head Ewan MacDonald-Russell said last month’s figures showed “shoppers kept a canny eye on their finances”, with retail sales rising in line with shop price inflation.

He added: “This is the third successive month of positive, improving retail sales and the best monthly figure since April and hopefully signals some appetite from consumers ahead of the crucial Golden Trading Quarter starting in October.”

Mr MacDonald-Russell continued: “Furniture did well across the month alongside this years’ strong categories of gaming, health and beauty, and toys.”

However, he said fashion sales had struggled as the combination of warmer weather in September and then Storm Amy had “deterred high street shoppers from updating their wardrobes”.

This will leave stores hoping “that spending is deferred rather than cancelled,” he added.

Mr MacDonald-Russell said: “The tough truth is retailers are having to run very fast just to keep pace with the very significant public policy costs imposed on them in last year’s UK and Scottish budgets.

“With inflation still increasing and little sign of the long-promised uplift in economic growth as much pressure as ever will fall on strong trading over the crucial Christmas period.”