The data revealed that the highly anticipated Black Friday trading period failed to offset economic nervousness and poor weather.

While total sales in Scotland technically rose by 0.1% compared to November 2024, this figure masks a starker reality. When adjusted for inflation, year-on-year sales actually fell by 0.5%. This performance is notably below both the 3-month and 12-month average growth rates, signalling a worrying trend leading into the crucial festive period.

Non-food sales decreased by 0.5%, with fashion, beauty, and electricals performing poorly. Even when adjusted for online sales, the decline remained at 0.4%.

Food sales saw a modest increase of 0.7%. However, this growth was dampened by intense price competition among grocers.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, described the situation as precarious, noting that hopes for a strong end to 2025 are now “hanging by a thread”.

“Retailers are now on tenterhooks for a last-minute surge in Christmas sales to round off what will otherwise be a humdrum year,” Mr MacDonald-Russell stated. He warned that if the festive rush does not materialise, the sector’s viability may hinge on the Scottish Government’s January Budget delivering a competitive business rates model.

Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer, retail & leisure at KPMG, added that household costs continue to curb discretionary spending. “Scotland’s retailers will be disappointed that Black Friday period promotions failed to deliver the boost that they were hoping for,” she noted, expressing hope that the arrival of Christmas decorations would finally stimulate sales growth.