DSG enjoys digital Christmas
During the 8 week period to 7 January 2006, total Group sales were up 5 per cent and like for like sales were up 2 per cent.
In UK retail total sales were up 3% and like for like sales were up 1%. International retail total sales were up 11% and like for like sales were up 4%. John Clare, Chief Executive, said ‘I am pleased with the Group’s performance over our peak season with encouraging trading in our UK electricals and computing businesses and in our overseas operations.
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. While peak was encouraging, Christmas is a very different trading period to the rest of the year. We remain cautious about the consumer outlook for the coming months, particularly in the UK, Italy and Greece, where underlying levels of consumer confidence remain low. Concerns about personal finance issues like pensions, tax increases and energy costs remain on the UK consumer’s agenda. Our strategy is to continue to retain a high focus on costs, margin protection, capital discipline and retail innovation.
There is a steady pipeline of new consumer technology products, which will continue to allow us to offer attractive ranges and deals to customers throughout 2006. We have the right strategy and strong management in place to continue to grow profitably within the markets in which we operate.’
