Figures show drop in retail sales at end of 2015
The amount spent by shoppers in Scotland fell slightly in the last three months of 2015, new figures have shown.
The amount spent by shoppers in Scotland fell slightly in the last three months of 2015, new figures have shown.
The value of retail sales for October to December was down by 0.3% on the previous quarter and was 0.9% less than the same period in 2014.
Retailers called on political parties to commit to action to help the sector in election manifestos.
The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) wants parties to pledge to reform business rates as well as urging the next Holyrood government to develop a strategy which supports and nurtures'' the retail industry.
SRC director David Lonsdale made the plea after the Scottish Government published figures showing Scotland's stores are lagging behind the UK in terms of performance.
While the value of retail sales in Scotland was down, the UK recorded slight growth of 0.1% over the period October to December.
The volume of sales in the UK was up by 1.1% on the previous three months, resulting in an increase of 3.7% over the year.
But Scotland recorded lower increases in the number of sales, with a rise of 0.6% over the quarter and 2.2% over the year.
Mr Lonsdale said: Retail sales figures in Scotland have consistently been at a low ebb over the past few years, with retailers having to work ever harder to maintain let alone grow sales at a time of profound structural, economic and regulatory change for the industry.
Responding positively to these changes and becoming more productive will require retailers to invest in new technology, a higher-skilled workforce, revamped warehouses and logistics capabilities.
That is all the more challenging against a backdrop in which retail sales are weak, shop prices are falling and a seemingly relentless rise in government-imposed tax and regulatory costs.
Indeed, the cumulative burden of government-imposed cost increases has become an acute issue for retailers.
That's why all of Scotland's political parties should commit in their election manifestos to an ambitious review early in the next parliament which delivers a reformed and more competitive business rates system, and to developing with the industry a joint strategy which supports and nurtures the growth of the retail industry over the decade ahead.''