The department store chain has reported a group loss before tax of £1.52m rising from last year's £1.39m.
Beales has announced the preliminary results for the 52 weeks ending 1 November 2008.

The chain, who has a flagship store in Bournemouth and ten other outlets across the UK, also reported a drop in gross sales with like-for-like (lfl) down 6.8%.

The group's revenue fell to £47.9m from £58.8m in 2007 - a lfl fall of 7.8%.

The chain's chief executive, Allan Killingley, said: "The current recession is such that 2009 is likely to be a very difficult year for retailers.

"The earliest we can expect any improvement in the trading environment is 2010."