?Shop. Explore then shop some more? is the new catch phrase for the Chamber of Commerce?s Buy Bermuda campaign. The fresh concept is designed to encourage locals to visit shops and areas where they would not normally go.

It follows several years of the Buy Bermuda campaign focusing more on the emotional reasons to buy at home.

While supporting local retailers as a means of keeping locals employed will still be reinforced this year, the Shop Explore campaign also aims to educate shoppers that there is a wide selection of merchandise all around the Island despite this summer?s closure of Bermuda?s largest and oldest department store, Trimingham Brothers.

?This year there is a perception of less choice in Bermuda so part of the challenge in the Buy Bermuda campaign is to dispel that rumour and show why there is so much choice in Bermuda.

?A lot of retailers here shop all of the world so there is quite a big selection,? said Kristi Grayston, co-chair of the Chamber?s retail division.

The 62 participating retailers across the Island hope the campaign will also encourage people to look around before simply jumping online or ordering items overseas through a catalogue.

The organisers also aim to encourage local shopping by offering those that make a purchase of $50 or more the chance to win one of 15 booklets containing $500 worth of retail gift certificates. There will be draws for three booklets every Friday evening between November 25 to December 23.

The division is also in the midst of securing support to make late night shopping on Fridays an occasion for locals to come to town and shop.

?The Friday nights leading up to Christmas have always been a fun community event on Hamilton and we want to continue that despite fact there are a number of dark windows on Reid and Front Street,? said retail division co-chair Somers Cooper.

Details on those Friday night events are pending.