New technology bolsters performance
Sales for the 10 weeks to January 8 at Kesa Electricals, parent of electrical chains Comet and Darty, increased 8.1 per cent and experienced like-for-like growth in local currency of 6.4 per cent, helped by a strong demand for new technologies.

Sales at Comet rose 7.7 per cent and like-for-likes were up 7.5 per cent, which the company describes as 'particularly strong'.

Darty's sales increased 5.1 per cent in local currency and like-for-likes rose 4.6 per cent. Darty Box was rolled out to all stores on schedule, following the launch in Paris at the end of October. The first Darty store in Turkey opened ahead of schedule in Istanbul in December.

Revenue at BUT rose 5.6 per cent - in local currency - against weak comparatives. Total store sales grew 7.1 per cent, with like-for-likes also up 5 per cent.

Kesa Electricals chief executive Jean-Noel Labroue said: 'Sales remained robust over out peak pre- and post-Christmas trading period and all our businesses delivered good revenue performances. Sales were again led by strong demand for new technologies, particularly flatscreen televisions and lap tops, and sales of white goods continued to show positive sales growth.'

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