27th Apr 2005 08:00
Dixons Group PLC27 April 2005 RNSPR/27/05 Strictly embargoed until 8.00 am BST, 27 APRIL, 2005 DIXONS GROUP ANNOUNCES NEXT PHASE OF EUROPEAN EXPANSION PLANS • Europe's leading electrical retailer unveils plans for a network of 100 PC City superstores in France • New market entry in Poland, with two stores to open under the Electro World brand in the Autumn • PC City to open in Portugal Dixons Group plc, Europe's leading specialist electrical retailer, todayannounces the next phase of its European growth strategy, with expansion inFrance and planned new market entries in Poland and Portugal. The Group confirms today that it intends to fast-track the expansion its PC Cityretail chain in France. The Group sees potential for up to 100 stores in theFrench market. The first opening in the expansion programme will be a flagshipstore located on Boulevard St. Germain in central Paris, adding to the Group'sseven existing stores in France. The Dixons Group also announces that it intends to enter the Polish market, withtwo stores scheduled to open by the end of 2005. Both Polish stores will be inWarsaw and will extend the large space electricals format, Electro World, thatcurrently trades in Hungary and the Czech Republic. The Group also intends to open its first PC City store in Portugal as soon aspossible and is currently assessing potential sites. The market entries will take the number of countries where the Group has apresence to 15, with an option on two further countries, Russia and Ukraine,recently announced. John Clare, Dixons Group chief executive, said: "The Dixons Group is a trulyinternational retail operation and these important strategic moves underpin ourleadership position in the European market. Approaching one third of our salesare generated in stores outside of the UK and we have plans for further growthin all the countries where we now have a presence." The French decision follows last year's confirmation of the roll-out programmefor PC City in Spain, where the Group will reach 25 stores this year. The sevenexisting French stores are now each making a positive contribution to centralcosts. PC City currently employs 300 people in France. The expansion programmewill lead to a total workforce of 3,500 in France when complete. Simon Turner, managing director of Dixons Group's computing and communicationsdivision, said: "In the last twelve months we welcomed more than 2 millionvisitors to our PC City stores in France. We have had a fantastic reaction fromFrench customers to our unique format and our repeat visitor figures are a clearindication of sustainable demand. The dedication and commitment of the PC Cityteam will enable us build a strong market leadership position in the importantFrench market as we accelerate our store opening programme." - ENDS - More information: MediaHamish Thompson +44 (0) 1727 203195 / +44 (0) 7702 684290Gina Jones +44 (0) 1727 204354 / +44 (0) 7730 540831 Investor RelationsDavid Lloyd-Seed +44 (0) 1727 205065 / +44(0) 7779 574780 Notes to editors: About PC City PC City superstores now trade in four countries - France, Spain, Italy andSweden. The store format is identical to the Dixons Group's PC World operation,the UK's leading chain of computer superstores. The first French PC City storeopened in 2001 and there are now seven superstores in France, trading inVillebon, Plaisir, Creteil, Lille, Bordeaux, St Genevieve des Bois and Creil.Stores offer an unrivalled product range, market beating prices and a uniquerange of in-store and after-sales services. Consumers have access to more than5,000 product lines and exclusive brands. Store staff are trained to provideexpert guidance and friendly, accessible customer service. Staff offerone-to-one technical advice at PC Clinics in every store. The clinics are themost immediate technical support offering of any PC vendor in France. PC Cityalso provides extensive telephone and internet based customer support. About Electro World Electro World is the newest store format in the Dixons Group. Selling a widerange of mixed electricals in central Europe, the Electro World format draws onthe best elements from the Group's mixed electricals stores throughout Europe.The first 43,000 sq. ft Electro World hyperstore opened in Budaors, Budapest,Hungary in 2002. Three more stores of the same size have since opened with greatsuccess. In 2002, the first Electro World store opened in Zlicin, Prague, CzechRepublic to enthusiastic customer reception. Four further stores have sinceopened in Cestlice, Cerny Most, Brno and Ostrava. Electro World sales in 2003/04were £86 million. About Dixons Group Dixons Group is Europe's leading specialist electrical retailer. The Groupoperates two divisions, mixed electricals and computing and communications, in13 countries. It trades through more than 1,400 stores across the UK, Ireland,the Nordic countries, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic andGreece. The Group's retail brands include Dixons, Currys and PC World in the UKand Ireland, The Link in the UK, Elkjop in the Nordic countries, PC City inSpain, France, Italy and Sweden, UniEuro in Italy, Electro World in Hungary andthe Czech Republic and Kotsovolos in Greece. The Group specialises in the saleof high technology consumer electronics, personal computers, domesticappliances, communication products and related financial and after salesservices. 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