At least two new Hamilton stores have opened recently and property developers indicate that interest in retail space for rental is strong.

Government statistics for June reveal that gross turnover in the local retail sector is up by $2.1 million on last year's figures. Gross turnover in June, 1993, was $44.4 million.

Government economic statistician Ms Valerie Robinson said the improvement in sales, which first appeared in March, has remained consistent during April, May and June.

A new jewellery store, Everrich Jewellery, located in Signature House on Queen Street is undeterred by well-established competition in Hamilton.

Its manager Mr. Dominic Wong believes that the store will undercut its rivals.

"We sell at manufacturers' prices. Although there are many jewellery stores in Hamilton, it seems that tourists check the whole town before they buy, rather than instantly purchasing as they did before,'' said Mr. Wong.

The shop employs four staff and stocks 14 carat gold, sterling silver from Mexico and Italy, chains from Italy and rings imported from the USA.

"There aren't that many jewellery stores and many tourists like to buy in Bermuda because of the structure of duty which means jewellery is slightly cheaper than on the East Coast,'' said Mr. Wong.

Everrich Jewellery is owned by Melville Crest, a family-owned company. Its managing director Mrs. Lurline Chin said: "We are catering to a different market.

"We don't want to compete with the jewellery businesses here. Our jewellery is affordable. Yet, there is everything from custom-made jewellery to simple gifts.'' Meanwhile, a new furniture store, Four Seasons Furniture, is now operating from Victoria Street. The store is co-owned by Mr. Kevin DeSilva and Mr.

Andrew Harris and stocks indoor and outdoor furniture, specialising in solid wood furniture.

"There is plenty of competition,'' said Mr. DeSilva. "The market for outdoor furniture, particularly plastic, is practically saturated.'' So far, trade has been "fair to good'', he said.

The developer of the former Marks and Spencer's site in Reid Street, Washington Properties, says they are on schedule to open the extension to the Washington Mall in November. Additional retail space of 7,000 square feet has been added.

The existing mall will be linked to the nine new retail outlets by a corridor with steps and a ramp alongside. A spokeswoman said: "There had been more demand than had been anticipated. Many tenants have committed themselves already.'' Kitson & Company said an empty retail outlet, vacated by Astwood Dickinson in Windsor Place, is still attracting interest from prospective tenants. However, a spokeswoman could not say when an agreement would be reached.

Less interest is being shown in a retail outlet in Burnaby Street, which has remained empty since clothing store Men and Boys' Town, now called Boy's Town, vacated the premise on June 1.

Boys' Town owner Mr. Gilbert Perry said the store changed location to save rent. The store is now attached to the London Shop in Washington Mall.

Bermuda Realty, the Bank of Bermuda's real estate department, is seeking prospective tenants for the Burnaby Street space, but Ms Sherie Foletta, administrative secretary to Bermuda Realty's property manager, said no suitable candidates are currently in the offing.

"We are reluctant to accept new businesses as they are a greater risk.

Although we will not dictate what we want in the space, we don't want anything strange. We have had some unusual requests,'' said Ms Foletta.

The undisclosed landlord will negotiate on the asking price for monthly rent of $4,700, but the $1,809 monthly service charge is fixed.