February saw the first increase in retail sales since December 2008.But when inflation is taken into account, the volume of retail sales fell 2.1 percent.According to the Retail Sales Index, consumers spent $70.3 million on retail goods representing a marginal increase of $0.1 million, or 0.2 percent, when compared to February 2011, which itself was the weakest month of sales in the past seven years.February’s inflation rate of 3.8 percent turned the tide, with the volume of retail sales falling by 2.1 percent.Of the retail sectors, sales of building materials were the strongest, increasing 9.9 percent. This increase was driven by continued demand for building supplies from ongoing commercial construction projects.In contrast, motor vehicle dealers continued its double-digit decline, reporting a 17.5 percent decrease, the largest decline in sales of all the sectors in February. Retailers attributed this decline to a lower volume of vehicles sold at discounted prices.Leap Year helped the food and liquor sectors, which recorded in increase in sales of 9.4 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively pushed up by an additional discount-shopping day in February. Gas station sales also increased 3.4 percent due to the extra day and a 7.4 percent rise in gas prices.Clothing sales were down 3.7 percent as were sales within the catch-all sector, which declined 12.1 percent.Overseas purchases were 5.7 percent lower in February, with residents returning to the Island declaring goods valued at $3.3 million compared to $3.5 million declared in February 2011.