Scottish retailers plead for relief as April sales fall

What's happened

Retail sales in Scotland fell 1.2% in April 2026 from a year earlier, with food down 4% while non-food held up. Industry leaders cite Easter timing, Middle East tensions, and higher household bills as pressures, urging government action to cut energy and other costs and curb new regulations.

What's behind the headline?

Reading the data through a strategic lens

The April dip signals ongoing consumer caution amid inflation concerns from global events.
Food sales have weakened more than non-food, suggesting households are prioritising essential goods under tighter budgets.
Actions urged by SRC include cutting non-commodity energy charges, lowering business rates, and pausing new regulations.
The outlook hinges on holiday demand and event-driven boosts (World Cup) that could unlock discretionary spending, despite headwinds from geopolitics.
The message to policymakers is pressure to manage costs for retailers and households alike, aiming to stabilize prices in the near term.

How we got here

The Scottish Retail Consortium and KPMG report April 2026 sales fell on a year-on-year basis, with Easter timing affecting results. Leaders are calling for government measures to reduce statutory costs and energy charges to support prices.

Our analysis

The Scotsman via Scott Reid reports SRC and KPMG data; quotes SRC director David Lonsdale and KPMG’s Linda Ellett noting cost pressures and dampened consumer confidence amid Middle East tensions and rising prices.

Go deeper

Will the government act on energy cost relief for retailers?
How might World Cup demand affect Scottish retailers this summer?
Are non-food sectors more resilient to current pressures than food services?