with emotion as merchants pleaded with the Minister to tackle issues hurting local businesses.

Over 50 retailers voiced their concerns over problems facing the industry during the two and half hour meeting with the Hon. David Saul this week.

The meeting came at the beginning of the most crucial time of year for shop owners who make one third of their annual sales during the Christmas season.

Top of the list were customs duties and restrictive Sunday trading laws which retailers say make stores uncompetitive and unattractive to overseas and local shoppers.

Unemployment was another sore topic as a survey made between 1990 and 1995 of 23 stores showed a fifth of the retail industry's work force was laid off over the five-year period.

"Many members expressed their concerns in a sincere and on many occasions emotional manner which clearly highlighted the very serious state of this industry,'' said Chamber of Commerce president, Mr. Bobby Rego yesterday.

He admitted the atmosphere was one of tension as large departments store owners, small retailers and wholesalers alike expressed their fears for the future of their businesses.

"It is a very emotional issue when some directors feel they don't have any control and are losing their companies and have to lay people off,'' he said.

"There were a number of passionate and emotional appeals to the Minister by members of our community who are seeing their businesses falter. They were reaching out to the Minister for assistance.'' But Mr. Rego denied the meeting was an emergency measure to respond to a proposed national pension plan put forward by the Finance Minister earlier this week.

Wednesday's meeting, he said, had been planned weeks in advance so that retailers could have Dr. Saul's ear before next year's budget is finalised.

"This meeting was held in respect of increasing financial problems in the retail industry. It was about making an impression on the Minister so he has the opportunity to make adjustments in respect of the 1995 budget,'' he said.

While Dr. Saul kept his intentions "close to his chest'', he did indicate he was willing to work with retailers by promising to review customs tariffs and tax structures.

"I walked away feeling the Minister got the message,'' Mr. Rego said yesterday. "It was a strong message and I think it did have an effect.'' The Chamber of Commerce indicated it will be doing a survey to assess the reaction to newly proposed plans to restrict Sunday trading.

On the thorny issue of overseas shopping, the Chamber will be looking for ways to encourage people to shop at home, Mr. Rego said.

"Bermudians are always going to travel so it is not a matter of making it less attractive to shop abroad but more attractive to shop here,'' said Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce, Ms Carolyn Mello.

"We will be trying to make a more festive and fun atmosphere for shopping.''