Christmas retail sales.

The Chamber of Commerce is linking up with the Bank of Bermuda to get the 16-hour programme rolling next month.

The sessions at the Chamber's offices will be for middle managers and below.

And they will be aimed at boosting customer relations and sprucing up businesses' images.

The move is part of a drive to put fresh pep into the retail trade. Other ideas -- still to be agreed on -- include: Longer hours: More convenient hours to meet customers' needs; and Laying on special attractions to bring shoppers into Hamilton.

The performance of retailers over Christmas was discussed at a Chamber meeting yesterday morning.

Chairman of the Chamber's retail sales division Bruce Pottle later told The Royal Gazette : "Basically business for the whole holiday season was flat, although there were a few bright spots.

"You have to remember we were coming off 1995 which was a bad year. There were some increases over '95 for some of the merchants.'' Mr. Pottle said he did a quick poll of ten merchants at the meeting.

"One indicated there had been a upturn, a bunch said sales were flat, while a few said they were down.'' He added: "We are now getting very pro-active in how we are going to approach the situation.'' A number of ideas were being discussed -- and the proposal for a training programme was set to take off, said Mr. Pottle.

"There is going to be a very strong push in February for training sessions from middle management and down.

"The sessions will assist people in the areas of customer relations and how they can improve images and work harder at giving extra value.

"Currently an awful lot of opportunities are being missed in increasing performance.'' Mr. Pottle said between eight and 16 people would take part in each training session.

"While the course will be 16 hours, it will probably be divided into four sessions.'' Initially, the programme will be run by a professional from the Bank of Bermuda's training scheme.

"Hopefully, we will later get people in a position to train others,'' explained Mr. Pottle.

Mr. Pottle said one-hour training sessions for senior managers were also in the pipeline.

"We are taking a very positive approach, since we believe a lot of things can be done.

"We are not going to sit back -- rather see what we can do to make things better. It is important to start meeting customers' needs.'' Mr. Pottle said longer or more convenient hours were being considered.

"If customers want us open until 7 p.m. then perhaps we should do that as a group.'' He added some activities or attractions to draw shoppers into the City were also an option.

"We are looking at how to draw somebody from say Smith's Parish into Hamilton.'' Retailers have already begun to show a more competitive spirit. In a bid to boost seasonal sales, some Bermuda stores -- including Trimingham Brothers -- discounted merchandise before Christmas Day.

Traditionally, retailers have waited for the day after Boxing Day, or after New Year's, to cut prices.

This week a brief Royal Gazette survey confirmed Christmas sales had been flat.

Businesses interviewed included W.J. Boyle & Son Ltd, H.A.& E. Smith Ltd, A.S.

Cooper & Sons Ltd.