Ailing department store chain Beales has reported a slump in like-for-likes during its first quarter.

Like-for-like sales for the 13 weeks to February 2 were down 6 per cent compared with the previous year. Since then, like-for-likes for the first 19 weeks to March 15 fell further, to drop 6.1 per cent below the previous year’s figures.

At Beales’ AGM today, chairman Mike Killingley said the figures were “broadly in line” with his chairman’s statement – which accompanied the announcement of its results last year – issued on January 28.

Gross sales for the first quarter were 14.3 per cent down on the previous year, including the performance of its Ealing store, which closed at the end of the last trading year.

Beales added that gross margins were slightly higher than last year. As a result of an expense reduction strategy and the closure of the Ealing branch, costs were lower.

In January, Beales reported an operating loss of£1.1 million in the year to November 3, which followed a profit warning earlier that month.

Former Bhs retail director Tony Brown will join Beales as chief executive on April 1, when Allan Allkins retires.

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