The monthly sales of clothing has increased for the first time since the closure of Trimingham's department store last year, according to new figures.

But that trend has been tempered by a small drop in the overall volume of retail sales once the rate of inflation is factored in ? due mostly to poorer sales of motor vehicles and at gas stations.

And the continuing boom in the construction sector, as evident by large month-on-month sales for building products, has led a Government Minister to announce further efforts to ensure that guest workers do not squeeze qualified Bermudians out of the available jobs.

It has been 15 months since the Island last enjoyed a rise in sales for clothing and the upturn comes at a time when there is anticipation as a new A.S. Cooper store on Front Street nears completion in time for Christmas.

The 17.1 percent upturn in apparel store sales has been welcomed by Marks and Spencer general manager Paul Dean.

He said: "With the closure of Trimingham's most of us in the retail and fashion sales industry have had to step-up our game. Now members of the public have responded.

"It has taken some time for us to respond, and by that I mean not just M&S but the other stores too. We would also be foolish not to realise that people go overseas to shop and the impact of internet shopping."

Shoppers have been busier this month buying both on the Island and overseas compared with the same month in 2005.

The loss of the flagship Trimingham's store on Front Street in July 2005 led to a decline in apparel sales with monthly figures dropping by an average of 24.2 percent every month since as the impact of the losing such a major store unravelled itself through the monthly statistics.

Before Trimingham's closed it had been selling items at discounted prices before it finally locked its doors thereby creating an artificial level of sales for many months, pointed out Peter Cooper of A.S. Cooper.

Mr. Cooper expects the new A.S. Cooper store, currently under construction in Front Street and Reid Street, to open at the beginning of December.

"It will be a full department store on the ground and second floor with the first floor selling only clothing," he said.

The upswing in apparel sales was the second biggest increase in any of the seven individual sectors measured by the Department of Statistics during August.

Increased contract sales to the construction sector and improved roofing product sales are believed to be the reason sales of building materials enjoyed the biggest percentage rise going up 23.8 percent.

That good news was noted by Home Affairs Minister Derrick Burgess who at the same time stressed the importance of building and construction companies employing Bermudians who are qualified and capable in the first instance before seeking guest workers to fill vacancies.

In an effort to correct this situation and to make Bermudians aware of opportunities the Department of Labour and Training took out an advert in Friday's Royal Gazette inviting Bermudian tradesmen; masons, carpenters, plumbers and skilled labourers, to register with the department.

Employment Officers will be available between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the cruise ship terminal, Ordnance Island, St. George's on Monday, Devonshire Recreation Club on Tuesday and Somerset Cricket Club on Friday to offer assistance to Bermudian tradesmen and construction workers in finding work.

Mr. Burgess said: "The Department of Immigration has zero-tolerance for immigration breaches and will take appropriate measures to deal with any employer of guest workers who does not offer employment to qualified Bermudians who make an application."

The retail sales index figures for August show modest increases in the amount of food and alcohol being sold but fewer motor vehicles purchases and retail sales at gas stations also down.

Total retail sales from shops in Bermuda during August were worth $54.5 million, some $1.4 million higher than August 2005.

Residents who went overseas also returned with more purchases having spent $6.7m during the month.

Once everything has been added up and the inflation rate of 3.4 percent has been taken into consideration total retail sales in Bermuda across all sectors fell 0.8 percent, the fifth negative month of the year.

One factor for the slight fall in overall sales may have been the two days of Cup Match holiday which fell in August this year instead of July as in 2005.