The local retail scene is slowly being transformed as Bermuda's population continues to become more ethnically diverse.

The recent influx of speciality stores with a distinctly 'ethnic' flavour are making their mark on the Island. Long-standing players in the niche retailing market, such as True Reflections which specialises in African merchandise, have been joined by more recent arrivals, offering goods and services from equally far flung destinations, such as China, Thailand and Turkey.

And it seems that business is booming for Chinese furniture and antiques store Asia Pearl, Thai ladies clothing retailer Colours and home and personal accessories outlet Turkish Imports. Each store has seen a huge response to what they have to offer from Bermuda residents, whose tastes have apparently become more cosmopolitan. The owners of these businesses also feel that the local market is looking for goods that are unique, high quality alternatives from the 'norm' that has traditionally been offered in shops across the Island.

"Bermudians like uniqueness and like to find things that are unique," says Millie Wright, who has owned and operated Asia Pearl with her husband Stanley since 2001. "That's what we see our customers are looking for, as well as very good quality. And they tell us that one of the most appealing aspects of what we offer is that, basically, it's beautiful."

Bulent and Teresa Ganal, another husband-and-wife retailing team, agree. They own Turkish Imports which opened in the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard last May.

"Bermuda craves 'new' and 'different'," says Mrs. Ganal. "Years ago people would just accept what was in the department stores but now they want something more unique."

"Our products are made and imported straight from Turkey, nothing is brought in from elsewhere," adds Mr. Ganal, who is Turkish and conducts the buying for the store. "So what we have is totally authentic."

And according to Mrs. Wright her customers' desire for uniqueness and good quality means that they are willing to wait for specific pieces that cannot be found elsewhere in Bermuda.

"We do custom orders that are made in the factory in China," she said. "The customers have to wait longer but in the end they get exactly what they specifically wanted."

Customers are also responding well to the highly-personalised level of service provided by these retailers.

"We started our business just over a year ago selling Turkish carpets only," says Mrs. Ganal. "We basically did in-home consultations, taking the carpets and rugs to customers and seeing what might work for them then following up with orders. Even though we now have the store, we still provide that service for free and locals love it."

"I really like to get to know my customers and we've developed some good friendships over the past three years," says Mrs. Wright. "People tell me part of our success is how we treat people."

The Ganals were prompted to consider opening a store because of repeated enquiries from existing and potential customers.

"Our clients kept asking us about it, and when we were going to do it," says Mrs. Ganal. "So we saw that there was an opportunity and decided to go for it."

They also took the opportunity to expand their product range and now offer other home accessories, such as bedspreads, cushion covers and hanging lanterns, in addition to costume jewellery and handbags, all tastefully decorated with Turkish icons and embroidery. Due to their location, they have also benefited somewhat from sales to tourists, cruise ship visitors in particular, although local residents are the mainstay of revenue for the business.

"We've started small up here in Dockyard and demand has been great," says Mrs. Ganal. "And outside of the carpets which are still our main product, now the handbags are our best seller. We never expected all of this."

Nu Harris also decided to start small, opening Colours clothing store in a small space in the Clocktower Mall last December. The store specialises in hand crafted women's clothes imported from Thailand.

"It was two weeks before Christmas and we were very busy, then it got very quiet," says Mrs. Harris. "I took the time over the winter to ask questions and get some feedback from locals who loved the clothes because they are so different from what is available in other places, but they wanted a bigger range of sizes."

She now brings in new stock every two weeks direct from Bangkok and has already made space in the store to offer hand-made jewellery in addition to clothing.

"Sales have been good and we now have plans to bring in shoes and purses to go with the clothing," says Mrs. Harris, who is from Thailand and has been married for just over a year to her Bermudian husband Michael.

In fact demand from residents has been so encouraging that the owners of each store have expansion plans, whether for their respective product ranges or physical environment. In the next few months the Ganals plan to bring in the sweet delicacy Turkish Delight as well as Turkish coffee for their store, and Mrs. Wright has already moved to accommodate further growth in her business.

"Our first shop was a 'hole in the wall' on the second floor of a building on Serpentine Road," she says.

"We doubled that space in six months, and doubled again six months after that to meet demand. Since we moved to our current space (on Par-la-Ville Road in Hamilton) we've seen orders double and our stock has grown again to respond to that."

"We always say Bermudians love to travel and part of that is shopping and bringing home something different," says Mrs. Ganal. "With the things we have they can do that right here, and now that locals know we're here they are coming up and telling other people."

"I started doing this as a hobby and didn't anticipate that we would be where we are today," says Mrs. Wright. "It's a good feeling; we're filling a gap in the market."