Retailers in Guernsey are asking islanders to consider shopping local following a flat year, according to the Guernsey Retail Group.

Martin Search, group director and owner of Ray and Scott Jewellers, said: “The world’s economy is not good at the moment… we just really need to hold our own.”

Will Van Zanten, owner of Machon’s Jewellers, said: “It’s been a tough year right through really.”

“Perhaps we [local retailers] need to raise the profile of the fact we are still a good deal.”

Mr Van Zanten said he thought it was mainly down to “a big lack in public confidence”.

He said: “When times are a bit uncertain and cost of living is going up, people are careful about spending money and that’s noticeable this year as well.”

Although he was clear it was not just a local issue.

But for Ellie Schreibke, who took over Maison Lifestyle this year, it has exceeded her expectations despite a challenging first six months.

She said her first year in retail had been “better than she thought”.

Miss Schreibke said: “I was really pessimistic coming into it… I had my expectations very low because of what the public seems to say about shopping in town.

“Don’t get me wrong, some days are bad.”

Matthew Cable, owner of Nautilus, said the year “hasn’t really been good nor bad”.

He also owns a shop in Jersey and said “over there they are a lot less impacted by weather events… and here’s it’s just wind and people stay at home”.

He added: “I think people have just lost the habit of going shopping.”

Mr Search said the Guernsey Retail Group view was it had been a “flat” year.

He said: “We need to try different methods of selling and improve what we do.”

Mr Search said fewer cruise ships and poor weather had meant a decrease in footfall and impacted trade.

“We need to get our feel good factor back,” he said.

The group is looking into “future proofing retail” in Guernsey, investigating shop opening times and the way shops trade.

Mr Search said: “Local communities need people to shop local because… the pound here stays here.”