Retailers are keeping their fingers crossed there will be a rush of last-minute shoppers in the final week before Christmas.

Traders from Hamilton to St. George's are still hopeful of seeing an upturn in sales with six days to go before Christmas Day, despite the current economic crisis.

Last week the Corporation of Hamilton announced free parking in its lots throughout the City for one day tomorrow in a bid to boost shopkeepers' tills during what has been one of the toughest financial periods in recent years for businesses across the board.

But at least one store has been bucking that trend. M&M International Ltd. has experienced a flurry of sales activity for electronic goods, particularly flat-screen televisions, as witnessed first hand by general manager Donnie Correia.

"We have been doing very well," he said. "We have been very happy with our TV sales and, in particular, flat screen TVs have been a good seller.

"I think now with the new flat screen technology, this year more people are changing over to it."

He reckons consumers were upgrading their televisions and gadgets as a lifestyle choice and because electronic items have become cheaper.

"People are picking them because of the space saving features and technology as well," he said.

"Right now the price of electronics in general has come down substantially. I guess a lot of people want to take advantage of it and enjoy the great benefits."

Denise Trew, owner of All About Eve and The Hat Lady, both in St. George's, said trade was slow in the town, but she hoped to see a turnaround in the run up to the festive season.

"We have got lots of stock - we have got everything that ladies could want, from hats to shoes and everything in between," she said.

"Things have been a little bit quiet, but we are hoping to get the last-minute rush from shoppers because our shops are basically stocked for the locals and we even had a new shipment of goods that came from Europe three weeks ago."

Ms Trew, who celebrated clothing store All About Eve's first anniversary earlier this month, said she was staying open until 8 p.m. in an effort to attract more trade from late-night shoppers, as well as holding an open house offering discounts of between 10 and 40 percent.

"But the people who do come in say, 'I love it, I didn't know this shop was here'," she said.

"I have noticed that even in Hamilton when I was there for two nights shopping that it was extremely slow and the stores were all closing early, except for places like the Phoenix Stores and Brown & Co., so I guess St. George's is not on its own.

"Hopefully Santa will stop in St. George's and make Christmas very merry and we will be able to say the festive season has arrived."