Bermuda's retailers are holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the implications of a damning Government survey which slated service on the Island and severely criticised local business practices.

George Grundmuller, head of the Retail Visitor division of the Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday that the retailers were meeting today, but declined to comment further on the matter, adding that a statement will probably be made available later tomorrow.

The survey, which shows customer dissatisfaction with the level of service locally, polled 400 consumers and was conducted by Profiles of Bermuda in association with the Department of Consumer Affairs.

It showed that there was anger over high prices on the Island and customer care. Particular blame was placed on cable, television and radio companies.

It said more than a third of shoppers have complained in the last year with poor service picked out for special mention.

"Shoppers in Bermuda have given the providers of goods and services a failing grade," the survey by the Department of Consumer Affairs stated. "In not one of the attributes measured did they meet the expectations of consumers."

The report added that, given the high cost of doing business in Bermuda, it was not surprising that there were concerns about prices, especially when compared to those in the United States.

But it added: "However, areas where providers of goods and services have complete control (giving quality service and having staff with knowledge of the products sold) they receive low marks. Both of these concerns surfaced when respondents were asked about their dislikes about shopping in Bermuda."

The report added that this suggested either a lack of, or inadequate training of staff.

The report continued: "In addition, goods and service providers seem to miss an opportunity to win customers over when things go wrong."

"Again customer expectations were not met when they had a complaint -except when they expected nothing. In this case, their expectations were exceeded."

But there was a glimmer of hope - with the report adding that there is a core of customers who are willing to buy what they want with little regard to the cost of the item.

The report said: "Raising the standards of sales persons could increase the level that these individuals spend and also attract more like them. Indeed, there are some sectors, such as department stores, that do a reasonably good job of taking care of the customer after the sale has been made."

The report, which was carried out in November of 200, added that respondents also shopped frequently when overseas and just under half shopped on the Internet, spending on average $756 each.

Catalogue shopping and having relatives and friends send items to Bermuda were also popular choices for shopping.

And the report said that as these activities did not involve air travel and hotel rooms they would be competitive with the local market.

The report was commissioned by the Government to determine the "consumer experience and knowledge" of shopping in Bermuda.

The survey will be used to help enhance existing Government policies and legislation as well as enable the department to put in place new policies and legislation.