Some of the criticisms are indeed justified.

Of course it's a free enterprise environment and it would be difficult to ban or close down such shops but their activities could be more regulated so there is at least no confusion as to what people are actually buying.

The label "Designed in Scotland" is misleading as if it's cheap it's unlikely to have been made in Scotland. If the Scottish Parliament passed a bill enforcing an honest description of origin then people would not be under the impression that an item was actually made in Scotland.

But it's very difficult to find genuine, original, made in Scotland kilts as an off the peg item. Tourists have a need for instant gratification and often don't want to be measured and then wait for one to be made and delivered weeks or months down the line. I believe that this is why the criticised shops do well and that it's not just an issue of price.

If the more reputable establishments carried a range of made in Scotland off the peg kilts offering some of the most popular tartans (which is what the "bazaars" do except usually not wool and not made in Scotland) I believe they would be able to fight back better.

Of course they would cost more, but the quality would still speak for itself and it would still be instant gratification which is what most tourists want. And non EU tourists could still reclaim the VAT.

One can only hope that these cheaper kilt introductions will inspire at least some to go for the real McCoy at some point, I know people who have done that.