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Retail sales in Scotland fell by 0.7% in real terms in September as shoppers continued to rein in spending amid cost-of-living pressures.
Total sales increased by 0.7% compared with September 2025, but the rise was below the three-month average growth of 2.7% and the 12-month average of 1.9%, according to the latest Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor.
Once inflation is taken into account, sales were down 0.7% year on year, highlighting the pressure on household budgets.
Food sales rose by 1.6% compared with September last year, outperforming the three-month average of 1.2% and the 12-month average of 0.5%. However, non-food sales fell by 0.1%, well below the three-month average increase of 3.9% and the 12-month average of 3%.
Some categories bucked the wider trend, with beauty products, toys and children’s clothing performing well. Clothing overall and household purchases continued to struggle as consumers prioritised spending.
The SRC warned that weak footfall and consumer confidence, alongside continued cost-of-living pressures, were prompting households to economise and delay purchases.
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Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "Shoppers continued to rein in spending in September with retail sales slumping again.
"Sales fell by 0.7 per cent in real terms, an improvement on August, but still in negative territory.
"What growth there was resulted from increased sales in the food category – albeit sales rose less than prices as the impact of the war in the Middle East continues to affect the economy.
"Within the gloom there were some shafts of light.
"Beauty products did well last month with consumers focusing on small treats instead of lavish gifts.
"Toy sales continued to perform well as did children's clothes, but clothing overall and household purchases all struggled."
Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG, said: "Scotland’s retail figures for September point to an increasingly selective consumer, with shoppers prioritising some categories while postponing purchases elsewhere."