COMPETITION is a fact of life and retailers in Guernsey must ensure they are offering a good quality personal service to battle easier access to online shopping, according to the chairman of the retail subcommittee of the Chamber of Commerce.

David Falla spoke after it was confirmed that retail giant Argos would be targeting islanders for the first time after developing a partnership with Jersey Post’s new delivery company, Ship2me.

It has been feared the new Ship2me service could have a devastating impact on local retailers as it becomes easier for shoppers to buy products – particularly larger items – online from any EU country.

But Mr Falla (pictured) said local business would always face stiff competition, yet he believed Guernsey retailers could still be successful.

‘It’s very difficult to generalise but my view is that people often still want to view the product before they buy it and ultimately where retailers will succeed is if they offer a good personal service,’ he said.

‘Competition is a fact of life. However, if there is that extra degree of competition then the response from local firms should be that they are determined to provide that personal service.

‘Obviously there are some things and some people that are determined to buy from the internet and you cannot change that.’

Ship2me managing director Gary Whipp said its service could and would be used by local retailers, too.

‘We have been talking to some about them using us to deliver their stock,’ he said.