France: first quarter positive for opticians

France's Fcga (Fédération des Centres de Gestion Agréés) has published data from the small businesses observatory for the first quarter of 2004.

After a positive 2003 (+5.6%), the health sector professions (opticians, pharmacists and dental technicians, members of Fgca) continue to improve and there has been 'a spectacular growth rate compared to the start of 2003' of 6.3% for the period. Opticians in particular have confirmed their role as sector 'drivers' and are in first position with a 6.4% increase in turnover, ahead of pharmacists, 6.3%, and dental technicians, 5.7%.

Of the sectors monitored, at +9% it is the entire services segment that has had the strongest upturn in the first quarter.

(Source: Acuité)