Bermuda retailers will make a slew of special offers for online shoppers for one day only in next week's eMonday initiative.

More than 30 "e-tailers" have signed up for the first eMonday, Business Development and Tourism Minister Patrice Minors said in an announcement at the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce board room yesterday.

Ms Minors said shopping online had become a regular pastime for Bermudians, with around 68 percent of residents saying they used the Internet to make purchases in 2009, according to a survey.

"Next week, on Monday November 15, Bermuda will host its first ever eMonday and we are encouraging all residents who have access to Internet go online and participate," Ms Minors said.

"With the launch of eMonday, Bermuda joins thousands of countries around the world in stimulating its economy by driving consumers to the web. In fact, online shopping has become such a phenomenon because of its ease and convenience that it has ballooned into a multimillion dollar business worldwide."

Ms Minors urged residents to take full advantage of the eMonday offers and to support local businesses.

"There is so much to choose from locally, when shopping online," she said. "All the participating e-tailers either accept orders online or receive payment by credit card online and all will be offering discounts or promotions for purchases made on eMonday.

"So if you want to get fabulous discounts or promotions then log on to one of the participating e-tailers websites next Monday to take advantage of this one day, once a year opportunity.

"Finally, ladies and gentlemen, if we are to ensure that our local economy remains vibrant and viable, then we must support and encourage the development of e-commerce in our local retail sector."

Supporting the event are the Department of e-Commerce, the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, North Rock Communications, Ignition Group of Companies, Butterfield Bank and QuoVadis Ltd.