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The British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA), which counts optical outlets among its membership, says independent retailers are feeling the effects of the economic downturn to a greater degree than multiples.

In its quarterly sales monitor, the Association says like-for-like sales for independents are down by 1.83 per cent compared to 0.03 per cent for multiples.

'It is of great concern that overall performance for the year to date is adverse by 1.7 per cent compared with last year,' said John Dean, chief executive of BSSA. 'Superimpose above inflation increases in overheads and one can see the pressures many independent retailers face.'

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