Beales like for likes down 6 per cent.
Like for like gross sales (including VAT and concession sales) for the 43 weeks to 30 August 2008 were 6.0% lower than for the previous year.
This shows an improving trend from the first 26 weeks of the financial year, when like for like sales declined by 6.4 per cent. Beales Ealing store was closed at the end of the last trading year. Including that store’s comparable performance, gross sales (including VAT and concession sales) for the 43 weeks were 14.8 per cent below those in the previous year.
In recent weeks the Group has taken a number of trading initiatives, including a stronger promotional stance, which the Board believes will lay the foundations for a recovery in the business. There is also a continuing close focus on tight management of the Group’s expenses and asset base, which continues to show benefits, Beales said.
