The summer season is steaming up in Hamilton, with some retailers reporting better sales than last year.

Doug Patterson, co-owner of surf store Makin’ Waves, was extremely happy with the first four weeks of summer.

“Ever since the June holiday, business has been busy, busy,” Mr Patterson said.

The hot weather is great for his Church Street business that sells everything from snorkels, coolers and bathing suits to body boards.

“There is no one hot ticket item,” Mr Patterson said. “But if there was it would be sun protection clothing and hats. We sell a lot of items in that category.”

In terms of women’s bathing suits, however, Makin’ Waves has struggled to compete with the internet.

“Women can get whatever they want, in whatever colour and size online,” he said. “Thirty years ago we would sell ten to 20 bathing suits a day. That is not the case any more.”

Mr Patterson believed the secret to success was instant gratification.

“You have to sell what people want immediately, being mindful of the price you are selling it for,” he explained.

Since opening in 1988, he and Stuart Joplin, his business partner, have seen the business world change tremendously, with the biggest catalyst being the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

“We had to create an online presence and modernise,” Mr Patterson said. “That was not something we initially wanted to do. Covid-19 kicked us into the 21st century.”

For Rebecca Singleton, the owner of Reid Street apparel store, Tabs, sales are tracking about the same as last year.

She was pleased with that, given several challenges facing local retailers.

One of these was the increase in the duty-free allowance to $300, which has made it easier for residents to shop overseas.

“That increases competition for local stores,” she said.

Another issue for retailers has been the stress caused by the political situation in the US, with President Donald Trump threatening large increases in tariffs on goods imported into that country.

“I export my brand to the United States and Canada, and the constant changes in tariffs and trade regulations have given me whiplash,” she said.

Global shipping delays and costs were also causing headaches for local retailers.

“That said, because I design and produce my own brand, Tabs is not affected by some of these factors as deeply as other retailers,” she said. “But the landscape is definitely shifting and we are always keeping a close eye on how these changes impact the local market.”

Fraser Hunt, the manager of Flying Colours on Queen Street, said the cruise ships were booming in Bermuda right now, which was good news for the shop. Flying Colours sells T-shirts, hats, summer dresses and souvenirs, mainly to visitors.

“In general, things are right where we would expect them to be in June or July,” Mr Hunt said.

He said Trump’s tariffs had left many local retailers feeling unsure of business, earlier in the year.

“Now that has passed and people are feeling more settled,” Mr Hunt said. “Long term things are looking good.”

He said one good step forward was the lengthening of the cruise ship dock in Dockyard to make way for larger ships in the future.

“That will be great for the rest of the island,” he said. “There are also slow signs that the hotel situation is improving. Overall, people are feeling good about the future of Bermuda.”

Vincenzo Della Valle, of Della Valle Sandals on Queen Street, felt they were doing better than last summer, but still not as good as he hoped.

A spokesman from Gibbons Company said sales had been good for their full range of bathing suits.

Other summer items such as beach towels, coolers and boat toys have also been doing well.