Grocery was the hardest hit retail category in April, as cash conscious-consumers opted for own-label products over their branded counterparts, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC)-KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor.
Total food sales in Scotland dropped by 4.0% in April 2026 compared with April 2025, when they had increased by 2.2%. The decline was steeper than the three-month average fall of 0.6% and below the 12-month average growth of 0.1%.
Meanwhile total sales in Scotland decreased by 1.2% compared with April 2025, when they had increased by 4.5%. This was below the 3-month average decrease of 0.9% and below the 12-month average increase of 0.4%. Adjusted for inflation, there was a year-on-year decrease of 2.2%, revealed SRC-KPMG.
David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
“The total value of Scottish retail sales fell in April, less than surprising with Easter falling early this year into March’s figures and after the slump in shopper footfall figures during the month. However, this was a second successive monthly contraction as concern over the implications of the situation in the Middle East weakened consumer confidence and as households came to terms with higher outlays on water charges, council tax, and at the petrol pump.
“Worst affected was grocery sales which tumbled by four per cent, also falling over the quarter as a whole. Indeed, food sales have grown by a paltry 0.1 per cent on average over the past twelve months as shoppers sought out value by trading down to own-brand products and leaned into retailers’ loyalty schemes and promotions. Non-food items fared a bit more positively and there were early signs of demand for TVs likely linked to this summer’s spectacle of major sporting events including Scotland’s participation in the World Cup finals and Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games. Travel related purchases, however, underwhelmed.
“Global events such as the situation in the Middle East and higher commodity prices might be out of government’s hands, but costs imposed here at home are not. It’s why the UK and Scottish governments should help retailers’ efforts to keep down shop prices for households in the short, medium, and long term by working with us to reduce the statutory costs retailers and their suppliers face. This should begin with a reduction in food businesses’ energy costs especially non-commodity charges, a more competitive business rate, and curbing or pausing any new regulations.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure, KPMG, said:
“It was a disappointing April for Scotland’s retail sector, even factoring in an earlier Easter shifting some spending into March.
“Consumer confidence has been further dampened by rising prices due to the Iran conflict, with consumers cautious about potential ongoing effects. As a result, the retail sector is facing a challenging start to spring/summer, but there is hope that holiday demand and the World Cup still manage to unlock spending in the weeks and months ahead.”
