This marks a considerable improvement from the 4.0% decrease experienced in April of the previous year. Adjusted for inflation, the year-on-year increase stood at 4.6%. The figures, covering the four weeks from 6th April to 3rd May 2025, also surpassed the 3-month average increase of 1.4% and the 12-month average decrease of 0.2%.

On a like-for-like basis, which excludes changes in shop floor space, Scottish sales rose by 5.6% compared to April 2024, when they had fallen by 3.6%. This performance was notably above the 3-month average increase of 2.3% and the 12-month average increase of 0.3%.

The growth was largely driven by non-food sales, which surged by 6.3% compared to a 4.9% decrease in April 2024. When adjusted for the effect of online sales, non-food sales in Scotland demonstrated an even stronger increase of 8.7%, contrasting sharply with a 7.1% decrease in the previous year. This performance significantly exceeded both the 3-month and 12-month average trends.

Food sales also contributed to the positive picture, with a total increase of 2.2% compared with April 2024, when they had seen a 3.0% decline. This was above the 3-month average increase of 0.3% and the 12-month average increase of 0.1%.

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “Scottish retail sales sparkled in April, bolstered by the better weather which brought shoppers out and by Easter falling later this year.

“Driven largely by non-food sales it was the best monthly performance for almost two years, positive news after a lengthy period of decidedly tepid sales growth.

“Garden furniture and outdoor toys and games shone as shoppers made the most of the sunnier conditions, as did DIY and computing related purchases. Grocery sales performed well as households and families entertained over the Easter holidays.

“Whether this unalloyed good news can be sustained however remains to be seen. The prospect of a possible détente in the global trade and tariffs dispute offers some grounds for optimism, albeit retailers and their customers both remain challenged by the relentless increases in statutory outgoings. This requires policy makers to keep a tighter lid on the tax and regulatory costs under their control.”

Linda Ellett, head of consumer, retail and leisure at KPMG UK, said: “The pace of retail sales growth picked up in April, with Easter and the drier weather boosting clothing and garden related sales.

“But, over the last three months, Scottish retail sales have grown by only around 2% on non-food items on average, compared to the year previous.

“Consumers tell us they are still taking steps to manage their household budgets, so retailers will need to focus on how they can continue to unlock spending over the coming months to keep the growth going - including capitalising on purchases related to strong summer holiday demand.”