Dixons Carphone sales rise as bosses hail ‘good year’

The electricals giant registered a 2% uplift in like-for-like sales during the 16 weeks to April 29, despite “headwinds” caused by the later launch of the Samsung S8 and a late Easter.

In its UK and Irish business, like-for-like sales were up 2%, but total sales slipped 1%.

Dixons Carphone said like-for-like sales in its domestic market improved by approximately 4% in the quarter, as a result of sales being successfully transferred from closed stores.

Like-for-like sales in the Nordics also rose 2%, while it reported 5% growth in its Southern European business.

Across the wider full-year period, like-for-like sales climbed 4% in the UK and Ireland, while total sales advanced 2%.

In the Nordics, like-for-like sales inched up 1%, as total sales jumped 20% on a reported revenues basis.

Southern Europe registered a 6% like-for-like increase and a 20% spike in total sales in reported revenues.

Dixons Carphone said group revenues were up 9% across the year and 4% on a like-for-like basis.

It said pre-tax profit for the year would be between £485m and £490m.

‘Lively political backdrop’

Dixons Carphone boss Seb James said the figures represented “another good year” for the business against “a lively political backdrop.”

James said: “We have continued to evolve our approach to multi-channel and we have gained an even better understanding of how the online and offline worlds work together to help customers make great choices on these important and life-enhancing technologies.”

He added that the UK consumer “continues to be active in the market” but added: “We anticipate no let-up in their – very rational – view that price and service are critical factors in deciding where to shop.”