Dixons like-for-likes up 5% in UK with record Boxing Day sales
Dixons Retail, the owner of Currys and PC World, has posted a 5% increase in like-for-like sales in the UK and Ireland during the Christmas trading period.
From 1 November to 4 January sales in Northern Europe also increased, rising by 2% on a like-for like basis. However, like-for-like sales in Greece dropped by 8% due to a “tough consumer climate” although the wholesale business performed well.
Dixons said the Black Friday weekend in the UK and Ireland was particularly busy but was followed by a quieter couple of weeks in the run-up to Christmas Day. However, business “took off like a rocket” on Boxing Day which was the biggest sales day in Dixons’ UK history with more than £100,000 flowing through the tills every minute.
Online sales in the UK and Ireland grew by 23% in the period.
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Dixons chief executive Sebastian James said: “This has been a lively Christmas with plenty of ups and downs and I am pleased to report that we have turned in a good performance. We have consolidated last year’s strong gains and I am confident that we have gained further market share.
“These are good numbers, but I am mindful that what recovery there is in the UK is still fledgling, and we continue to plan accordingly. We have some very strong comparables in the fourth quarter and, with a later Easter as well, I expect performance in the remainder of our financial year to be more modest than the year to date. However, with great service and fantastic value in our stores and online I think all our businesses can continue to outperform our competitors in each of their markets.”
