Retailers face 'critical weekend' after flat year

Thousands of shoppers are expected on Scottish streets throughout the weekend

Scottish retailers could face going out of business if the pre Christmas weekend does not provide a sales boost, an industry body has warned.

The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) told BBC Scotland News a "flat" year of sales meant this weekend was now "absolutely critical" to the sector's prospects.

Ewan MacDonald-Russell the SRC's deputy head, added that as shops were facing increased costs next year, a successful festive period was even more important than usual.

Thousands of shoppers were expected to hit city centres across Scotland all weekend in pursuit of last minute presents.

Mr MacDonald-Russell said that sales had followed the same pace as 2023, save for a brief burst around the Black Friday shopping event at the end of November, where many retailers offered discounts.

He said: "Our hope is that shoppers have been holding back for Christmas.

"The nervousness we have is that if that doesn't happen then retailers are facing huge costs next year, so really need a good Christmas to get through that.

"This is an absolutely critical weekend for high street shops."

Ewan MacDonald-Russell fears shops could close in 2025 without strong sales at Christmas

Mr MacDonald-Russell said shops had faced a "difficult" year in 2024, with more high street fixtures such as fashion label Ted Baker going bust.

Last month retail sales were down 2.3% in real terms compared to November 2023.

He added that 2025 is expected to pose even more problems for retailers.

He said: "We know costs are going up.

"The UK government budget has put around £7bn more costs onto retailers, including £190m by national insurance changes in Scotland.

"Those are huge burdens for retailers to find.

"If Christmas trading doesn't deliver then there's a real risk we will see more casualties on the high street in the New Year."

Electronics, health and beauty gifts were continuing to sell strongly, according to the SRC.

Rise in violence

The SRC warning came as the public was urged to avoid losing their temper and subjecting shop workers to physical or verbal abuse in the countdown to Christmas.

Both the SRC and unions told BBC Scotland News violence towards staff had become more common.

Tony Doonan, the Scottish regional secretary of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), said: "There has been a rise in physical violence towards staff, as well as the verbal abuse they now face.

"Coming up to Christmas, shop workers are working, not spending time with their families, so it can be a stressful time for them also.

"Shoppers should be mindful of how to speak to shop workers if they're frustrated with a certain issue."

Mr MacDonald-Russell said no worker "deserves to go home on Christmas Eve having been shouted at in their work."

Figures released earlier this year revealed physical attacks on shop staff had more than doubled from 2023.

And Mr Doonan said he expected the numbers would increase again when data is released in the spring.