In what can only be regarded as good news for the Island's sales-starved merchants, almost $130 million was spent in Bermuda between July and September, about 4.3 percent more than they did during the same period last year, Government figures show.

At the same time, though, the amount of overseas spending by Bermudians continued unabated, with an estimated $7.3 million worth of goods declared by returning residents during the third quarter of the year.

That figure represents a 1.6-percent increase over the same period of 1993.

Among the items that Bermudians purchased most overseas were electronic equipment (which increased 22.7 percent over last year) and computer hardware and software supplies (up 22.9 percent).

By contrast, resident spending on clothing and footware declined by 1.4 percent.

Locally, consumers racked up an estimated $129.2 million in sales during the third quarter.

Service stations and motor vehicle dealers enjoyed the highest increase over last year at 16.2 percent, while liquor store purchases and purchases at miscellaneous store types rose by 5.9 percent and 3.0 percent respectively.

The only sector to register a decrease was food stores, where sales fell 0.5 percent in comparison to 1993.

In tourism news, meanwhile, the decline in visitor arrivals continued into the Island's peak season as 135,057 people visted Bermuda from July to September -- 0.7 percent fewer than the third quarter of 1993.

Last week, 2,392 visitors flew in to the Island, an 18.3-percent decrease in comparison to last year. Overall arrivals between January 1 and December 18 stood at 580,925, or 4.0 percent more than in 1993.