Retail sales in Scotland fell 1.1% in June according to figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium, in contrast to a year-on-year rise across the UK as a whole. The figures, published today, reveal that food sales north of the border fell 1.4% as increased competition in the grocery sector took its toll. Furniture, flooring, home accessories and DIY all also saw a slow month. However, the fall was mitigated by clothing and footwear sectors, which rose for the second month in a row.

Commenting on the latest figures, Edinburgh-based David McCorquodale, head of accountancy firm KPMG's UK retail sector practice, said: "What the consumer is saving in the battle of the grocers is not necessarily being recycled into the non-food categories. The decline in food sales in Scotland is similar to that in the rest of the UK and is more reflective of price reductions from the grocers as they battle for share of wallet than significant volume shifts."