Beales post loss of £1.2m

Beales, the department store chain which has over 30 shops, including the Rochdale based Whitakers outlet, has suffered half-year losses of over £1million.

They have shown pre-tax losses of £1.2m, compared to previous profits of £900,000 last year.

Like for like sales have dropped by 9.2 per cent over the last 6 months up to April 30 2011.

The chain described the performance as “disappointing,” but added that losses were increased by its take over of 19 stores from the Anglia Regional Co-operative Society.

Revenues did increase by four percent to £27.3m after opening two new outlets – one in Rochdale.