The latest Royal Bank of Scotland retail sales monitor suggested that the country bucked the previous trend which has seen Scotland performing less well than the rest of the UK at Christmas.

December's total sales grew by 4.9%, an increase from 4.2% growth in the previous month.

Consumer strength is essential to maintain momentum in the Scottish economy Jeremy Peat Royal Bank of Scotland

Despite much speculation about poor sales in the run-up to Christmas, promotional activity greatly helped sales.

The retail sales monitor showed a strong late burst of sales just before Christmas and healthy post-Christmas sales.

Analysts said these appeared to have compensated for the widely reported slow build-up.

In December, total retail sales in Scotland were up by 4.9% compared with the exceptionally buoyant Christmas trading period in 2001.

Sales by food retailers rose by 5.5% and in the non-food sector there was a 4.4% increase.

Jeremy Peat, group chief economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland, welcomed the latest figures.

Warmer weather

"I am delighted that, despite mixed anecdotal evidence, Scottish retail sales held up so well in December when we take account of both pre and post Christmas periods," he said.

"Consumer strength is essential to maintain momentum in the Scottish economy until international risks and uncertainties start to diminish."

The weather is believed to have helped retailers as it was generally warmer than the previous December.