Hamilton retailers are reporting mixed fortunes during the Christmas shopping season, but most say they are doing well.

The Royal Gazette yesterday spoke to a cross section of the retail community and all except one stated they were pleased with the way things were going.

Swiss Timing's manager Leo Jordan said it looked like it was going to be a "softer''' Christmas this year with a "slight downturn'' in business at the Chancery Lane jewellery store.

However, he said he was hopeful that sales would pick up in the last few shopping days before Christmas, traditionally the strongest days for sales.

But Maritza Sequeros, manager of Calypso and Benetton, said her two stores were doing extremely well.

Calypso had been doing steady business and sales appeared to be picking up as last minute "panic shoppers'' hit the stores.

Calypso was doing better than last year as was Benetton where merchandise changes had led to the store doing "phenomenally well'', she said.

Benetton was now carrying smart casual clothes and concentrating more on items which cater to a wider range of customers rather than "trendy'' wear, added Ms Sequeros.

Changes at Trimingham Brothers had led to better holiday sales for the Front Street establishment. Eldon Trimingham said he was "very encouraged'' as "things are going like gangbusters''.

He added that he was unable to compare sales from last year. He said the store's changes in carrying new merchandise had "certainly made a difference''.

Aston and Gunn are doing better this year compared to a year ago, said store manager Donna Morgan, who added that the clothing store was doing "pretty good business in spurts''.

She added that the store had racked up some early sales as it had brought in evening wear for the season's festivities earlier than normal.

Meanwhile, True Reflections and Knick Knack reported sales similar to those experienced last year.

A spokeswoman for the ethnic store True Reflections -- who asked to remain anonymous -- said business had been steady at the Reid Street location putting sales on par with last year.

She added that she was expecting a late boom as her regular customers would be shopping over the next few days when the store would be open late.

And buyer Linda White of the Knick Knack said the Reid Street store had enjoyed a "fairly good'' holiday shopping season with sales similar to last year.

"It could be better but could also be worse -- we can't complain,'' she said.

Ms White added that sales were expected to pick up over the next few days, especially in the clothing and housewares departments of the store.

And Sports R Us manager Darrin Mayeaux said it was too early to tell what sales would be like for the season.

He said each year people seemed to leave their shopping to the last minute and the store was just beginning to experience stronger holiday sales but he was not sure how high the levels would reach.