compared with the same period last year.

According to the Government Statistical Department, gross revenue flows were "virtually unchanged'' among the general retail stores, showing a decline of 0.2 percent.

Receipts from food stores rose by 2.4 percent while liquor stores posted a decline of 1.1 percent.

And although there was widespread reduction in the demand for new motor vehicles, petrol sales were better than last year's level.

"I think this is going to be the trend for the rest of the year,'' said chairman of the sales division for the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Bobby Rego.

"April figures were encouraging. When you consider Easter was in April last year and March of this year, it's quite an accomplishment. However, I'm fairly confident the statistics are not going to show any great improvement.''