Dixons' post-Christmas cheer
Consoles, sat-nav, laptops and flat-panels all contributed to retail giant's success
Christmas shoppers appeared to have helped lift sales for DSG International's retail operations as the Group reported a five per cent rise in total Group sales for the eight weeks to 7 January 2006.
In the UK, total retail sales were up three per cent while international retail sales increased 11 per cent.
John Clare, DSG chief executive, said in a statement: “I am pleased with the Group’s performance over our peak season. This was very much a ‘digital Christmas’ in our stores, with gift items such as games consoles, satellite navigation equipment, iPODs and MP3 music players, flat panel televisions and laptops particularly performing well."
However he said that the Group remained cautious about the consumer outlook for the coming months, particularly in the UK, Italy and Greece, where " underlying levels of consumer confidence remain low".
"Our strategy is to continue to retain a high focus on costs, margin protection, capital discipline and retail innovation," he added.
The trading statement coincided with DSG's interim results for the six months to 12 November 2005, which reported total group sales had increased three per cent to £3.507bn (2004/05: £3.394) but group pre-tax profit had dropped from £133.5m in 2004/05 to £106.1m.
Total sales in the UK & Ireland dropped two per cent. Currys saw a one per cent decline in sales, Dixons sales were down eight per cent but PC World Business saw sales grow by seven per cent during the period.