Scots retail sector on the up

SCOTLAND'S retail sector grew in the second quarter of this year, according to figures released today.

Sales volumes were up 0.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2011 and by 1.8 per cent annually, the country's chief statistician Rob Wishart said.

The value of retail sales grew by 0.8 per cent in the same quarter and by 3.3 per cent annually.

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing said: "While it is encouraging that retail sales in Scotland have increased in the second quarter of this year and annually, and that Scotland is outperforming the position south of the border, there can be absolutely no grounds for complacency.

"The fact that the Scottish retail sector is showing some resilience against a background of the UK's weak quarter-two growth in GDP suggests that measures taken by this government, such as the council tax freeze and no compulsory redundancies in the employees under our control, are having a positive impact in bolstering consumer confidence.

"However, more needs to be done and recovery needs to be strengthened. That's why we are urging the UK Government to prioritise growth and support job security, to boost consumer confidence which is being undermined by inflation, fuel prices and other pressures, by developing an economic Plan B or flexibility."