The Leader of the Opposition tonight asked Christmas shoppers to back island stores.

Craig Cannonier warned the grim economic climate meant the festive season could be “make or break” for some retailers.

He said: “We have all by now read how the retail sector in Bermuda is suffering from a collapse of sales volume.

Mr Cannonier said that he “would urge people, where they can, to spend money on gifts locally”.

He added: “I know that many people are suffering thanks to new and increased taxes and charges and that it can sometimes be cheaper to buy online, but the retail sector here employs only Bermudians — thousands of Bermudians.”

Mr Cannonier said 200 jobs have been lost in the retail sector over the past two years.

He added: “Let’s use this holiday season to try and make sure no one else is left unemployed in 2020.

“So please, if you can and in the time that is left, use this holiday season to give the gift of a job to a Bermudian — and shop local.”