Retailers are in line for a Cup Match bonanza boosted by strong visitor arrivals and locals preparing for one of the biggest festive occasions of the year, according to chief merchandising officer of the Gibbons Company Paula Clarke.

Ms Clarke said despite Cup Match being a week later than last year, Gibbons Company have seen increased growth in sales throughout the department store and at Guerlain Boutique and M.A.C. Cosmetics, owned by Gibbons Company.

?Cup Match is such an important holiday, we are fortunate to have this additional traffic as people enjoy entertaining both themselves and others at this time of the year and this is reflected in sales activity.?

Ms Clarke said apart from residents looking to buy trendy outfits, people will purchase home furnishings to entertain others such as towels for guests, bathroom mats, napkins, outdoor China, plastic glasses and other goods to spice up the decorative aspects of their homes.

She also said increased visitor arrivals has also brought more traffic on to Reid Street both from cruise ship passengers and from hotel guests.

Ronnie Baksh, manager of the Edge, based in the Washington Mall, said the store has seen an influx in business over the last few days with people seeking out unique outfits.

?We are finding there are less people representing themselves in Somerset or St. George?s colours as it has become more of a social event.

?This is a continuing trend, this year three quarter shirts, sleeveless button down shirts, white shoes, graphic t-shirts are very popular and people are moving away from baggy clothing to more form fitting clothing.?

George Grundmuller, the head of the Phoenix Group, said the revamped Phoenix Store in Hamilton had enabled the company to provide products much in demand.

?Apart from tents, towels and beach chairs, a very popular item this Summer sun is protection shirts, as well sun glasses and sun lotions.?

He also said there has been an increase in people buying cameras from P-Tech and he expects they will develop their pictures reproduced after the holiday.

Mr. Grundmuller feels that sales activity can attributed to the strength of the economy and is optimistic that increased spending will continue to increase.

Masters Ltd. floor manager Ed Lindo said while he expects the store to be a lot busier with mosquito nets, coolers, ice chests, umbrellas, barbecue equipment flying off the shelves, he does not feel there will be a significant increase in business than in previous years.

Gorham?s general manager Andrew Mackay also said that while he anticipates the store may be busier than usual, the volume of business at this time of the year was not exceptional.