Dixons ecommerce boss leaving, as company issues profit warning

The reasons for and timing of his departure are not known, but are understood not to be connected in any way to the retailer’s profit warning on Wednesday.

Walmsley’s move in 2009 to Dixons from John Lewis - where he had been head of web selling and customer services - was seen as a coup for the electricals group as it ramped up multichannel. He was ranked 23 in this year’s Retail Week Etail Power List.

News of his exit, which Dixons declined to comment upon, came as the retailer revealed that shattered consumer confidence had undermined performance.

However, Dixons boss John Browett said revamped stores were outperforming the market and was confident in long-term prospects.

He observed that although some consumer electronics categories had been badly affected by reluctance to spend, demand was still strong for products such as the iPad.

“It’s crystal clear there’s still demand for new technology. And when people want to buy they come to us to buy.”

Dixons unveiled an action plan to address the dismal market conditions. It includes a “focus on winning markets”, potentially leading to an exit from Spain, and cutting capital expenditure, focusing only on the highest return projects.

Like-for-likes at the UK business, including Currys and PC World, plummeted 11% in the 11 weeks to March 26, although the Scandinavian business did well. Dixons expects to make a full-year profit of about £85m. Ahead of the update analysts had expected up to £109m.

Browett warned the UK electricals market could shrink by up to 5% in the coming year.