Retailers registered the first positive sales increase in February — the first since December 2008.However when inflation is taken into account the volume of retail sales fell 2.1 percent.According to the Retail Sales Index released today: “Retail sales edged up 0.2 percent in February 2012, marking the first month of positive sales since December 2008. Consumers spent $70.3 million on retail goods representing a marginal increase of $0.1 million when compared to February 2011.“Among the retail sectors, sales of building materials were the strongest, increasing 9.9 percent. In contrast, motor vehicle dealers reported the largest decline in sales of 17.5 percent.“Residents returning to the Island declared overseas purchases of goods valued at $3.3 million during February 2012. This was 5.7 percent lower than the $3.5 million declared in February 2011.“Combined local and overseas spending totaled $73.6 million. After adjusting for the annual retail sales rate of inflation, measured at 3.8 percent in February 2012, the volume of retail sales fell by 2.1 percent.”