Dee Patel, Ben's

Ben’s MD Dee Patel called the performance ‘satisfactory’.

Budgens retailer Ben’s has blamed “tough trading and economic conditions” for a drop in sales and profits.

Pre-tax profits fell 36.4% to £360,771 on sales down 5.4% to £13.9m in the year to 31 August 2012, according to accounts made available at Companies House.

MD and owner Dee Patel described the performance as “satisfactory”. The accounts also revealed the company sold its subsidiary Aimes for £1m this April.

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