Skip to content

'We've still got our place on the high street'

BBC Will Van Zanten, Owner of Machon's Jewellers. He has grey hair and a moustache. He is wearing round glasses, a white shirt and a black zip-up fleece, a gold chain is peeking through. His arms a leaning on his desk outstretched and he is looking directly at the camera. BBC
Islanders are being encouraged to "think local" when shopping

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.

Ellie Schreibke, Owner of Maison Lifestyle. She is young, with brown hair and a small purse lipped-smile. She is wearing a high neck brown nit jumper and blue jeans with her arms cross ahead of her. She is stood in her shop, surrounded by homeware that has a beige tone.
Ellie Schreibke has owned her shop for just six months

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."

Martin Search dressed in a navy suit, waistcoat, white shirt and blue patterned tie. He is smiling without teeth and looking at the camera. He has white hair and there is a silver decorated Christmas tree in the background along with a window.
The GRG wants to remind islanders that "shop local is not just a Guernsey thing"

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."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

More on this story