Scottish retail sales grow 1.1 per cent

1st November 2013

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

The volume of Retail Sales in Scotland grew by 1.1 per cent during the third quarter of 2013, according to statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician.

The latest Retail Sales Index for Scotland release, covering the period July to September, shows that the volume of Retail Sales in Scotland increased by 1.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2013 and by 2.0 per cent annually (2013 Q3 on 2012 Q3, seasonally adjusted).

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PubRSI/RSIS2013Q3

The value of Retail Sales, without adjusting for inflation, in the second quarter of 2013 increased by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2013 and grew by 3.3 per cent annually.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

The full statistical publication is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Economy/PubRSI/RSIS2013Q3

The Retail Sales Index (RSI) is a measure of the total turnover at basic prices of businesses registered as retailers according to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC), an internationally agreed convention for classifying industries.

These statistics are a component of the Scottish Quarterly GDP Publication, accounting for approximately 5.5 per cent of the Scottish economy.

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

Commenting on today’s Retail Sales Index for Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said:

“We welcome today’s Retail Sales Index statistics, these show that retail sales performance have continued to grow over the past year. The volume of retail sales grew by 1.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2013 and by 2.0 per cent over the last year.

“These figures follow on from recent GDP and labour market statistics, which show employment in Scotland is at its highest level since the summer of 2008 and a continued growth in the economy and new figures also showing a growth in the number of new businesses.

“These positive figures highlight the significant economic progress being made in Scotland. This continued growth in Scotland’s economy is helping to create more jobs and opportunities for the people of Scotland.

“By continuing to invest in businesses we can help build sustainable economic growth for Scotland and highlight the country’s position as a place of international trade and investment.”