have put forward to safeguard their future.

They want the removal of import duties on eight categories of goods, plus a reduction in payroll tax and land tax and the abolition of taxes on display items.

The Minister of Finance Eugene Cox has been given a comprehensive wish list from the 52 retailers who make up the Visitor Retail Division of the Chamber of Commerce.

The shops are not just the `big four' of Trimingham's, Smith's, Coopers and the English Sports Shop. They include many other businesses, from both Front Street and Reid Street, and the back of town, St. George's and Dockyard.

Ian Smith, manager of jewellers Astwood and Dickinson and chairman of the committee said: "The future of retail in Bermuda is a matter for the whole Island.

"Retail and wholesale employs about 5,000 people, mostly Bermudians. This works out around 10 percent of the population. It is the second largest employer on the Island and the largest employer of Bermudians.

"The future of retail can have a huge impact. If it does well, them we all do well.'' And Mr. Smith claims that the retail figures published every month by the government can be misleading.

He says by including motor and petrol sales, the retail sector looks rosier than it actually is.

"The truth is that without sales in cars, bikes and petrol, then you see what is really happening in the retail world in Bermuda.

"Month on month we have seen a downturn in sales. We have fewer tourists and we have more and more people shopping either through the Internet or going abroad on shopping trips.'' The Visitor Retail Division was set up by shop owners and managers to stop the rot.

During one of the first meetings held by the division one shop owner said: "We know what people want, there is no need to research it.'' To which one of the members replied "If that is the case, then why are you in trouble.'' The research they have done so far has found that shopping was one of the things holidaymakers liked to do the most.

They also found that shopping was the second main reason for going on holiday in the first place.

"We need to have something that will make people come here to shop -- and duty-free is a big way to attract customers,'' said Mr. Smith.

TAXES TAX