Disruption on Scotland's railways is damaging the retail sector according to business group
The Scottish Retail Consortium issued the warning as footfall remains below pre-Covid levels
Disruption on Scotland's railways could be damaging the country's retail sector as footfall remains below pre-Covid levels, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Footfall decreased by 15.8% in June compared to the same month before the pandemic, which the organisation says is worse than the UK-wide average of 10.5%.
Ewan MacDonald-Russell, head of policy and external affairs at the consortium said:
"Scotland's retail footfall continues to languish behind the rest of the UK with a second successive month as the weakest performer."
He added: "Rail disruption and concern about the cost of living appear to have deterred visitors as footfall only saw a modest 0.6% improvement to remain 15.8% below pre-pandemic trading."
ScotRail is still operating a limited timetable after drivers in the union Aslef refused to work overtime in a protest over pay.
Lat month the RMT brought railways to a standstill during a UK-wide strike because of a separate pay dispute with Network Rail and some Department of Transport rail operating companies.
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant for Sensormatic Solutions, said:
"June delivered a rollercoaster ride for the high street - the highs of the Jubilee Jump in footfall where retailers benefitted from the beginning of the month was, in part, derailed by the rail strikes as some shoppers stayed at home to avoid travel disruption."
The figures show shopping centre footfall fell by 19.9% last month, compared with three years ago, a weakening on the decline of 19.7% in May.
In Glasgow, Scotland's biggest city, footfall fell by 12.2%, which is 0.6% worse than May.
Edinburgh and Glasgow both outperformed the national average.
Mr MacDonald-Russel said:
"The comparative success of both large Scottish shopping hubs reaffirms our concern that other town and city centres continue to fall further behind following the pandemic."
He warned pressure was set to grow on spending as inflation climbs:
"Whilst we have seen some innovative approaches to returning consumer footfall, for example Glasgow City Council's welcome scheme to provide a ÂŁ105 shopping voucher to 84,000 less affluent customers, there remains a lack of drive in other urban areas to take the bold steps necessary to encourage consumers back to Scotland's High Streets."