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Luxury goods growth drives sales Luxury goods growth drives sales
(about 4 hours later)
Fears that Christmas would be a disaster for major shops in Scotland were unfounded, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium.Fears that Christmas would be a disaster for major shops in Scotland were unfounded, according to the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Luxury goods such as champagne and smoked salmon helped drive up figures and sales of premium food and drink ranges were strong.Luxury goods such as champagne and smoked salmon helped drive up figures and sales of premium food and drink ranges were strong.
Overall sales rose by 8.2%, with like-for-like figures up 3.6% on December 2005.Overall sales rose by 8.2%, with like-for-like figures up 3.6% on December 2005.
However, the milder weather meant clothing and footwear sold less well.However, the milder weather meant clothing and footwear sold less well.
Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "Despite early doom and gloom predictions from some commentators, in the end, Scottish retailers had a reasonably good December.Fiona Moriarty, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "Despite early doom and gloom predictions from some commentators, in the end, Scottish retailers had a reasonably good December.
Fears of a disastrous Christmas have proved unfounded Andrew McLaughlin Royal Bank of Scotland chief economistFears of a disastrous Christmas have proved unfounded Andrew McLaughlin Royal Bank of Scotland chief economist
"Overall sales growth was largely driven by food and drink, which saw the strongest growth for eighteen months, while clothing retailers were held back by mild weather for much of the month and forced into more discounting to move stock." "Overall sales growth was largely driven by food and drink, which saw the strongest growth for 18 months, while clothing retailers were held back by mild weather for much of the month and forced into more discounting to move stock."
Andrew McLaughlin, chief economist at The Royal Bank of Scotland, added: "January's figures will give us a complete view of the overall health of consumer spending during the Christmas period, but fears of a disastrous Christmas have proved unfounded." Andrew McLaughlin, chief economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland, added: "January's figures will give us a complete view of the overall health of consumer spending during the Christmas period, but fears of a disastrous Christmas have proved unfounded."
Scotland's performance remained stronger than that across the UK, which saw 2.5% like-for-like growth.Scotland's performance remained stronger than that across the UK, which saw 2.5% like-for-like growth.
However, the picture was more mixed for individual retailers.However, the picture was more mixed for individual retailers.
While Marks and Spencer showed its recovery was gaining momentum, music chain HMV reporting difficult trading.While Marks and Spencer showed its recovery was gaining momentum, music chain HMV reporting difficult trading.