​​The Retail Sales Survey was launched in April 2007 and collects information on the performance of the Island's retail sector on a quarterly basis. It provides an early short term measure of economic activity in Jersey.

The Retail Sales Survey for Quarter 1 (Q1) 2012 shows that:

• the seasonally adjusted total volume of retail sales in Jersey was 9% lower than in the corresponding quarter of 2011
  
• ​this represents the third consecutive quarter in which the total volume of retail sales has declined on an annual basis
  
• the predominantly food and non-food sectors have each recorded 3 consecutive quarters of a decline in the volume of retail sales on an annual basis
  
• the predominantly food and non-food sectors have recorded, respectively, 3 and 4 consecutive quarters of a fall in the volume of retail sales on a quarterly basis