Department store AS Cooper’s said it’s expanding opening hours and adding new brands as it changes strategy amid the Island’s struggling retail sector.The company, which has nearly 100 staff, said starting May 1 in an effort to offer customers “greater flexibility during their shopping day”, hours at the AS Cooper Hamilton stores will expand to 9:30am to 6pm along with their sister company Astwood Dickinson’s two jewellery stores.Since January the shops have been operating from 10am until 5:30pm.In addition the company said it plans to open selected stores on Sundays starting on April 29.The AS Cooper’s Main Store, Harbourside Store, Men’s Store and Children’s Store all will be open from 1pm until 5pm each Sunday from the end of April through Christmas.AS Cooper’s Front Street stores will be open each Wednesday until 9pm on Harbour Nights from April 25 through September 5 to take full advantage of the extra foot traffic.Cooper’s managing director Somers Cooper said: “I applaud our staff for sticking by the company during the slower winter months with reduced working hours and hope that customers will appreciate the option to shop a little earlier or later, six days a week and also on Sundays.“The poor economy has forced many retailers including ourselves to make difficult decisions and to adjust operating strategies.“Our focus is to keep our 90-plus staff employed while still providing top quality, name brand merchandise at US retail prices or better.”Mr Cooper added: “We are excited that next month we will announce the arrival of a few new brands to Bermuda and the Cooper family of stores which local consumers will love.”Last week competitor Gibbons Company made three staff redundant and announced nine long-serving employers had accepted retirement. The retailer said “the harsh reality of the current economic environment in Bermuda” had forced the job cuts.