The Cup Match rush is now down to its final hours - at least for shopping.

A round-up of the retail scene shows that everyone seems to be looking for a piece of the outdoors and most retailers are expecting sales this year to be the same as last year but some say it may be better.

The same sentiment was echoed by Knick Knack's General Manager, Bobby Rego, who said the most popular items this year are all related to the beach.

He said: "We're selling a lot of bathing suits, short suits, tops. Snorkels and snorkel masks are also selling well."

Mr. Rego said the demand for flip-flops has been so great that he has had to constantly top up the stocks.

"So far sales have been close to last year," he said. "Saturday seemed to be a pretty active day."

George Grundmuller, president and CEO of the Phoenix Stores and chairman of the Visitor Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce said that sales in his store were up compared to last year. And like the other retailers he said his customers were focusing on beach-related items.

Masters Ltd. president Susan Wilson said her store's biggest sales have been most associated with camping.

"Barbecues are big sellers as well tents, coolers, and fans," she said.

Referring to the company's "Homeworks" department, she said: "What's selling are beach towels, beach towels and more beach towels."

But the increased sales in beachwear and beach products did not mean that locals have departed from their dress fashion sense.

Clothing retailers reported that business has been brisk especially during the lunch hour period.

Antoinette Caisey of A.S. Cooper & Sons, said the Bermuda Trader line was selling well in preparation for the holiday.

She said the line is made up of rayon colourful prints. They are available in an assortment of styles. Everything from shirts to pants, dresses and shorts.

Some other big sellers include straw hats, straw bags, as well as sunglasses.

Antoine Kent, manager of Zig Zag II said that this year's sales have been better than previous years. But colours are what will make this Cup Match bright.

One of the stores hottest selling items is a shirt called "the Miss Jones" which features a black female with an Afro on the front. This seems to be a trend, as the business has also been successful in selling shirts covered with glittered designs.

Mr. Kent noted colours are in, everything from lilac, pink, orange, and yellow are the preferred colours for this Cup Match.

Three quarter length skirts, and Capri shorts have constantly been a best seller. Three quarter length denim skirts also adorned with glitter are hot, as well as what has been dubbed "bootylicious" shorts.

"Denim has always been a good seller, we're selling a lot of Capri's with splashes down the side and on the leg bottoms," said Mr. Kent.

Maritza Sequers, sales manager of Calypso, said beachwear was popular and it appeared women were buying multiple suits at a time.

When it comes to colours, the brighter they are the more demand placed on them.

"We've been selling a lot of orange, pinks, lavender, lime green. Bright colours not pastels."

Business is doing quite well, she said this is due in largely in part to the local clientele which frequent the stores as well as a pre-cup Match sale about a week ago.

Like Mr. Kent, she said Capri pants and their cousins, the "Clam Diggers" which rise just about the ankle are doing well.

Gorham's general manager Rod Ferguson said that there are a number of hot items that are being sold, and with the Cup Match rush on, Gorham's is this week having a 15 percent sale on all items for the holiday.

He added that this year one of the best selling items appear to be canoes and kayaks along with the usual sale of outdoor stoves, tents, beach chairs, and easy up canopies.

However, kids are not being left out of the loop - Mr. Ferguson said that for the children 'Lilos' and other inflatable devices are also selling well.