Optical sales fall at Boots

Boots Opticians reported a sales downturn of 1 per cent for the final quarter of 2005, but group chief executive Richard Baker (pictured) remained positive about the coming year overall.

While 'underlying market conditions' remain difficult, the company said there were encouraging signs that the actions being taken in filling managerial vacancies, increasing marketing and improving patient recall practices were improving performance.

Speaking about the company as a whole, Baker said: 'Although the ongoing retail environment remains tough and we see no signs of this easing in the short term, we are encouraged by our performance and by the long-term opportunities developing in our key markets.'