Data from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) have revealed that total sales in the country grew by 4.4% last month compared with a year earlier.

The figure was below both the three-month and 12-month averages, but when adjusted for inflation, the year-on-year increase was just 1.2%.

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During the month, food sales rose by 2.7%, while sales in the SRC’s non-food category improved by 5.8%.

SRC director David Lonsdale said: “This is a sprightlier set of trading figures, coming during a month bookended at the start by the Jubilee celebrations and at the end by yet more disruption on the railways and with shopper footfall continuing to lag.

“Even when adjusted for the current higher level of shop price inflation, Scotland’s retailers turned in a positive performance in June.

“This was driven by the return of socialising and special occasions such as weddings and graduations, with sales of more formalwear and dresses doing well.

“Similarly, retailers got a lift from spending on the likes of sandals, swimwear and sunscreen as Scots got ready for their summer holidays.

“That said, there was further evidence of shopper caution as sales of larger ticket items such as furniture and electronic and electrical items were sluggish, despite further signs of improved stock availability on shop shelves.”

The SRC has warned that increasing inflation, low foot traffic and other factors will present a challenge for retailers aiming to maintain sales improvement and confidence levels among shoppers.

Earlier this month, data from the British Retail Consortium and Sensormatic IQ revealed that total retail footfall in the UK declined by 10.5% last month on a year-on-three-years basis.

Footfall in the country improved by 2% from May and was better than the three-month average decline of 11.8%.