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REPORT TO MANAGING DWRECTROR ON SALES FIGURES

After six successful quarters of sales in the Seattle area, results for the last quarter were disappointing. General sales were down

填空题 16 percent, on average, across our nine area stores. While as I noted

填空题 in my last report, it is my view that some of this downturn can then be attributed

填空题 to layoffs at IMP plc, which, as you know, it is the area's largest employer.

填空题 During the quarter, IMP plc gave layoff notices to something in the region of

填空题 5 percent part of its workforce. But it would be dangerous, I believe,

填空题 to assume that our sales slump is due simply to such layoffs. In the same

填空题 period of time, two powerful competitors - as Save Marts and Bargain

填空题 Buys - opened a total sum of eight stores within our main catchments'

填空题 area. However, the grand openings of these stores were accompanied

填空题 by their heavy advertising of sales items. I recommend that a thorough

填空题 assessment of how the impact of such competition upon our sales

填空题 Equipped with this detailed knowledge, we would scarcely be in a position to review our current strategy.