Dixons cautious as Christmas looms
Solid sales growth across half
Dixons is expecting plenty of competition for sales across the key Christmas period as consumer caution grows in the UK.
In the 28 weeks to November 13, group sales were 9 per cent ahead in total, with 5 per cent like-for-like growth. UK sales grew 7 per cent in total and 6 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
There was a positive perfomance across the group’s UK retail brands, with Currys up 9 per cent, PC World up 3 per cent, Dixons up 3 per cent, and The Link by 8 per cent.
In local currencies. international sales grew by 19 per cent, with like-for-like sales at Elkjop up 2 per cent, UniEuro down 2 per cent, and Ireland up 6 per cent.
Chief executive, John Clare, said: “Business performance in the year to date has been satisfactory. However, the rate of sales growth has slowed in recent weeks and we are cautious about the outlook for consumer expenditure on high-ticket discretionary purchases across the balance of the year, particularly in the UK.
“As always, performance for the whole year will be significantly affected by trading over the important Christmas trading period. We are confident in our plans for Christmas and we are prepared for an aggressive trading environment.”
