The Scottish retail market is performing better than the rest of the UK and recruiters are reaping the rewards.

Latest figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) show that total sales were up by 8.2%, a rise of 4.3% on last year, while total sales in Scotland out-performed the UK as a whole.

Paul Mailey, director at Scottish retail staffing firm Retail Search Consultancy, told Recruiter that some areas of Scotland were suffering from a candidate shortage for management roles.

“There were not enough good quality retail parks in the country but now there are new expansions. There is one in Aberdeen and the issue they have got is candidates, getting the right managers. That is where they are falling short.

“In Glasgow and Edinburgh, nine times out of 10, clients will find people on their own but when you go to Abderdeen and Inverness, the market is quite tight.”

John McLain, operations director at Michael Page in Scotland, adds: “We are finding the retail market in Scotland extremely buoyant. We are the only national retail recruiter operating in Scotland, for Scotland, and given the current environment it helps the clients know that we will be here next month and next year.”