Total retail sales growth is now 2.5% below the whole of the UK and the SRC said there was no sign that the gap would be closing any time soon.

BBC: Olympics 'distracted' Scottish shoppers says retail body

The KPMG-SRC survey indicated food and drink results were boosted by the inclusion of New Year's Eve in this year's January figures.

BBC: Scottish Retail Consortium: food sales boost for shops

The low footfall rates for Scotland in February are a reflection of low levels of consumer confidence and lower levels of sales growth, according to SRC director Fiona Moriarty.

BBC: Shopper