Comet Store in Rochester, 1990

by David Jones

Staff at Kent's eight Comet stores are waiting to hear what the future holds for them today after the electricals chain announced a sales slump and some store closures.

The company racked up a £9 million loss after sales fell by 6.8 per cent in the last 12 months.

Comet's parent company, Kesa Electricals, said it was examining "strategic alternatives" for the loss-making chain which will include the possible sale of its 249 stores.

Nine stores are to be closed this year, while others will be reduced in size and some refurbished.

Weakening consumer confidence has had a dramatic impact on sales of electronic goods, not only at Comet but at rivals such as Argos, which has reported a 20 per cent plunge in electricals - particularly of TVs and video games - during the spring.

A Comet spokesman was today unable to say which of the chain's stores would be shut.

"It's too early," said the spokesman. "It depends on a number of factors, such as when leases expire.

"Nothing would happen without full consultation with the staff. Any closures will be staggered over a number of years."

Comet is also consolidating its 14 regional service centres to two sites, reducing the warehouse network from three to two.

Kent's Comet stores are in: Gravesend, Aylesford, Tunbridge Wells, Rochester, Ashford, Canterbury, Folkestone and Margate.