expect a bad winter.

And many believe that it will be do or die for some companies before the busy season begins again next April.

After less than stellar sales figures for the year, many are crossing their fingers, hopeful that Christmas activity is better than expected.

Mrs. Anja Crisson of jewellers' Crisson Ltd., commented that City streets seem quieter than normal.

She said it will be hard to predict the level of Christmas sales or post-Christmas activity, but she agreed with most retailers that sales levels for the year are certainly not like they used to be.

"We hope that December sales will be good and then we hope that January, February and March period will be as good as other years or better,'' she said.

"A lot of it will depend on how well the hotels do. I think the general buying public is so much more discriminating everywhere, not just in Bermuda, than they were in previous decades. That's how it is everywhere, now.'' Her Front Street competitor, Mr. Sayeed Ramadan at Personalised Jewellery, conceded he had no high hopes for a sales improvement in the near future. Just like Mrs. Crisson, he's taking a cue from global observations in retail.

"He said: "There are grey clouds still hanging around the world economy. I see no difference in Bermuda. To some degree, things always pick up. But I don't expect the sales levels of past years.

"And while there is normally a graduated drop after Christmas, this year there may be a dive. The money just doesn't seem to be around. And like every cycle, the money will eventually come back. But stores are taking a beating and the question is whether they will be here, when it comes back.'' One of the larger retailers, Trimingham Brothers, is seeking to create more retail space in their Hamilton store.

President Mr. Eldon Trimingham said his company will be busy making changes during the slower winter season.

He said: "It is a time when people make changes and renovations. How well Bermuda's stores do this winter will depend on how we do in tourism.

"Bermuda has to put more effort into a tourism revitalisation programme. We are very sadly behind the pack in advertising in our traditional areas. We are being swamped by the competition.

"We have to do something about that because tourism has been down significantly in total numbers and I suspect that the per capita spending may have dropped as well, because of discounting by hotels to attract the bodies.

When you start doing that, you attract people with less spending power.'' "The overall tourism product here is substantially over-priced to the American traveller. It's a pretty good buy for the Europeans, but they see the US as an even better buy.'' There was an injection of optimism from Ms Nancy Gosling, chairman of the sales division of the Chamber of Commerce. She said that Bermudians need to take a closer look at local businesses before taking their business overseas.

President of wines and spirits merchant, Gosling Brothers Ltd., Mrs. Gosling pointed to significant efforts made recently by retailers. The new efforts include the Christmas Festival and late night shopping every Friday night until the Christmas holiday, and, the summertime late night shopping. Ms Gosling said: "We've had weather problems and the closure of the bases affecting our economy this year. 1996 doesn't have to start out with people thinking it's going to be a disaster.

"I look to those months early in the year to buy things. I know people realise that there are great buys during the winter. Obviously, people have to buy Christmas gifts before the holiday, but come January and February, there are still things one needs to buy.'' In discussing the retail sector's performance, this year, she said: "It wasn't a great year, but during Friday nights, there is a real festive atmosphere along Reid Street, with Christmas lights and music.'' She also noted that although some Caribbean island communities will have to remain closed this winter, as they regroup from hurricane damage, other neighbouring islands are getting additional business.

She said: "There is no reason to believe that we can't get some extra business as a result of that, too. Plus, Sonesta Beach was closed last year.

We will have that hotel open, this winter, attracting additional visitors.'' Also avoiding the "doom and gloom'' forecasts was Chamber president, Mr.

Bobby Rego, who said it was too early to predict the strength of Christmas sales.