Retail sales rise by 5% in Jersey

Retail sales in Jersey rose by 5% in the last three months of 2010 compared to the same time in 2009.

It is the first time sales have risen that much since half way through 2008.

Food sales saw the highest growth at 6% with non-food items increasing by 4%.

But Kevin Keen, from the Jersey Chamber of Commerce, explained that the increase in retail sales had not led to higher profits for shopkeepers, saying "food was up because of inflation and people have to eat".

He added: "Non-food was up in volume but it was hardly up in value so retailers were reducing their prices to get more people into shops and to give them more bargains, but that does not necessarily convert into profit."