Despite the continuing decline in retail sales Dockyard shops could be facing a better summer thanks to additional cruise visitors.The majority of shops, however, will not benefit from an 11 percent increase in cruise ship visitors, according to the Chamber of Commerce.Yesterday the Government released the retail sales index, which showed consumers spent an estimated $83.6 million during November a decrease of 2.8 percent or $2.4 million less than in November 2009. Sales have declined every month for more than 20 months.Kristi Grayston, the Chamber of Commerce's spokeswoman for the retail division, said shops across the Island were struggling but niche retailers in Dockyard could benefit from an increase in expected cruise ship visitors.Last week Transport Minister Terry Lister announced the new cruise ship schedule for the upcoming season. A total of 385,200 people are expected to visit the Island on cruise ships this season compared with 347,931 last year an increase of 11 percent.Mr Lister said this could inject $81 million into the economy. The Island made $73.4 million from cruise ship visits last year.Dockyard will receive the majority of this year's cruise ship visitors.“Businesses in Dockyard will benefit from this,” Mrs Grayston said. “Many of the businesses there have adjusted themselves and are geared towards that particular niche market, the mega cruise ship visitors.“For most retailers though, what we need are visitors flying in and staying at a hotel for five days. I don't know if we will see those days again.“We all know that cruise ship visitors do not spend as much as air visitors, so the increased number of cruise visitors won't really help.“I also think the cruise visitors can put a huge strain on our infrastructure. Our busses, ferries and taxis are full and not available for our hotel guests. Our beaches are packed.”