Scots shops pay World Cup penalty

FEWER Scots headed to the shops last month - because they had no team to support at the World Cup.

Fears over public sector job cuts also took their toll, as like-for-like sales in June fell 1.1 per cent compared with the same month last year.

Scottish Retail Consortium director Fiona Moriarty said: "Worries about the impact of public sector cuts on jobs and incomes are knocking consumer confidence in all parts of the UK but more so in Scotland where the public sector represents a bigger proportion of the economy.

"In June, Scottish retailers didn't benefit from the same World Cup boost or consistent periods of hot weather as those south of the Border, and Scottish customers continued to be cautious."