Comet sales boost helps Kesa
Group revenue declines 3.9 per cent like for like.
Total Group revenue increased by 5.8 per cent in sterling and declined 0.2 per cent in local currency, down 3.9 per cent on a like-for-like basis, for the three month period to 31 July 2009. Web generated sales increased by 28 per cent.
In France trading conditions remained challenging, particularly in brown goods, and Darty’s revenue fell by 0.3 per cent in local currency, down 1.5 per cent excluding Darty Box and 3.7 per cent on a like-for-like basis. Gross margin remained stable. During the period one new store and five additional kitchen corners were opened.
Against weak comparatives, Comet’s revenue increased by 1.9 per cent and by 0.3 per cent on a like-for-like basis. The rate of gross margin decline continued to ease during the period aided by an improvement in the level of white goods in the sales mix.
Commenting on the Group’s performance, Chief Executive Thierry Falque-Pierrotin said ; ‘The Group overall traded in line with its markets but experienced widely varying geographic market conditions. All of the businesses have maintained a strong focus on protecting retail profit and have prepared themselves for the more significant trading period ahead.’
