4th Sep 2006 07:03
DSG International PLC04 September 2006 4 September, 2006 DSG international plc (DSGi) launches The TechGuys, making IT simple • DSGi launches a digital customer support service for the 21st century home• Potential £50 million, 5 year investment programme, 2,000 new jobs DSG international plc (DSGi), Europe's leading electrical retailer, todaylaunches a new national customer support service, "The TechGuys", to provideexpert, fast-track support for increasingly technology-dependent UK homes. Theservice is a response to the growing reliance on life-enhancing technologies inhomes nationwide. DSGi's latest brainchild, a new venture, puts the expertise of 3,000 experiencedadvisors at the immediate disposal of customers throughout the UK. The serviceis supported by state of the art call centres, one of Europe's largest technicaldatabases, a spare parts vault of 2 million components and specialist repaircentres to provide homes and small businesses with fast, reliable support oninstalling, connecting, protecting, upgrading and fixing people's home IT andaudio visual technology. The TechGuys will also provide training to customers onhow to use the equipment and how to get the most out of it. From today the service is capable of 16,000 home visits per week and nationaltechnical support centres will offer expert diagnosis and problem solving 24hours a day, 365 days a year. The service, which aims to provide hassle-freesupport for customers in the digital age, is offered to all customers,regardless of whom they bought their technology from. The service is offered initially in the UK, with plans for a European roll-outin due course. Research* commissioned by DSGi confirms that: - Eight in 10 UK adults (79%) routinely need help with everyday technology tasks, yet 43% have had to wait more than a week for essential technical support from local suppliers - More than two thirds (67%) have thrown away electricals in frustration without any attempt to repair them - Nine in ten (91%) say that technology plays an important role in everyday life John Clare, Group Chief Executive of DSG international, said: "As the UK gearsup for one of the most important technological transitions in 100 years, forwhich the majority of consumers are not prepared, we're creating a nationalsupport operation to help customers navigate their way around the digitaluniverse. The forthcoming national digital switchover programme, combined withthe rapid development of digital technology, will have a huge effect on everyhome in the UK and create an unparalleled level of demand for expert technicaladvice." He added: "Technology is the circuitry of modern day life and has become asimportant a utility as water, electricity and gas. Domestic technical supportrapidly will become as commonplace, if not more so, as visits from plumbers andelectricians, which is why we are transforming our customer service proposition.And we're offering this service to everyone, regardless of where they've boughttheir technology." DSG international estimates that the market for digital support services isworth £1billion in the UK alone. With customers' increasing reliance ontechnology throughout the day, DSGi predicts that this market could double insize within 5 years. Industry statistics reveal that: • There are 70 million computer crashes every day, many of which are due to operator error • The average Briton spends nearly three hours per day online (or 45 days per year) • Nearly two thirds of technology owners need guidance on how to use their technology Today's launch represents the beginning of a pan-European programme to developThe TechGuys into Europe's largest and most responsive technical supportservice. Over the next five years and dependant on suitable returns, DSGiexpects to invest £50 million behind The TechGuys. The aim is to open 200standalone service locations in the UK and service points at 150 PC World's, aswell as a number of concessions, creating potentially 2,000 new jobs. * Research carried out by YouGov amongst a representative sample of 2200 adultsbetween 11th and 14th August 2006. - Ends - For further information: Hamish Thompson, Director of Media Relations 01727203195/ 07702 684290 David Lloyd-Seed, Group Director of Investor Relations 01727 205065 A copy of this announcement, together with information on DSG international plc,is available at http://www.dsgiplc.com. About DSG international plc: DSG international plc is Europe's leading specialist electrical retailing group.We trade through 1,450 stores and online stores, spanning 14 countries andemploying 42,000 people. More than 200 million customers visit our stores andonline every year. Our retail brands include PC World and Currys in the UK andIreland, Elkjop in the Nordic countries, UniEuro in Italy, Kotsovolos in Greece,Electro World in central Europe and PC City in France, Spain, Italy and Sweden.Our pure-play e-commerce businesses include Pixmania.com and Dixons.co.uk. Weoperate a multi-channel approach to electrical retailing and offer customers acomprehensive range of after sales services. We also run a multi-brandbusiness-to-business operation in the UK. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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