19th Oct 2005 07:00
DSG International PLC19 October 2005 PR 76/05Embargoed until 7.00AM BST, 19 October, 2005 DSG INTERNATIONAL PLC ENTERS POLISH MARKET AND ANNOUNCES EXPANSION PLANS FOR CENTRAL EUROPEAN STORE NETWORK FIRST ELECTRO WORLD STORE OPENS IN POLAND; ADDITIONAL STORE TO OPEN BEFORECHRISTMAS ACCELERATED STORE OPENING PROGRAMME IN CENTRAL EUROPE 19 October, 2005 - Electro World, a company owned by DSG international plc,Europe's leading specialist electrical retailer, announces today that it willenter the Polish market tomorrow with its first store opening at Targowekcommercial centre in Warsaw, with a second store due to open prior to Christmas.Both stores will be on sites shared with furniture giant, Ikea, with furtherco-sites likely in future. Electro World also announces its intention tofast-track the expansion of its store network in Central Europe with theaddition of 20 new stores as soon as possible. The next opening in the expansionprogramme will be at Tabor in the Czech Republic and follows a recent opening atDunakeszi in Budapest. The new store programme will also include a planned six openings in Poland bythe end of 2006. The first Polish store opening means DSG international plc isnow trading in 14 countries. International operations today account for morethan a third of the Group's turnover. John Clare, CEO of DSG international plc, said: "Electro World now has astrengthening foothold in markets with a combined population of more than 65million. This is an exciting phase in the development of the brand and we lookforward to pursuing our growth ambitions by serving customers with ourcombination of value, range and service throughout these dynamic economies." The decision to expand Electro World follows a detailed operational andfinancial review of the performance of the brand in the Czech Republic andHungary, where the Group will reach 8 and 6 stores respectively this year. Theexisting stores continue to deliver performances in line with, or better than,management expectations and most are now making a positive contribution tocentral costs. Electro World currently employs more than 700 people in the region. This year'sexpansion programme will create an estimated 350 additional direct jobs. Milan Ruzicka, Managing Director CE of Electro World, said: "In 2005 we welcomednearly two million customers to our stores. We have had a fantastic reactionfrom customers to our unique format and our repeat visitor figures are a clearindication of sustainable demand. The dedication and commitment of the team andthe acceleration of our store-opening programme will enable us to build on ourstrong market position. We are already the number one electrical retailer in theCzech republic and number two in Hungary." Electro World sells a wide range of mixed electricals in Central Europe, theElectro World format draws on the best elements from the Group's mixedelectricals stores throughout Europe. The first 43,000 sq. ft Electro Worldhyper-store opened in Budaors, Budapest, Hungary in 2002. Four more stores ofthe same size have since opened with great success. In 2002, the first ElectroWorld store opened in Zlicin, Prague, Czech Republic to enthusiastic customerreception. Five further stores have since opened in Cestlice, Cerny Most, Brno,Ostrava and Hradec Kralove. Electro World sales in 2004/05 were £106 million. EndsFor more information contactHamish Thompson, Director of media relations+44 (0) 1727 203195 / +44 (0) 7702684290 About DSG international plcDSG international plc is Europe's leading specialist electrical retailing groupwith operations in fourteen countries. The Group operates 1,400 stores, employs 40,000 staff and serves more than 100million customers every year. The Group also operates a rapidly growinge-commerce business. Turnover in the Group's 2004/05 financial year was £6.98billion. The Group trades as Dixons, Currys, PC World and The Link in the UK and Ireland,Elkjop in the Nordic countries, PC City in Spain, France, Italy and Sweden,UniEuro in Italy, Electro World in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland andKotsovolos in Greece. The Group specialises in the sale of consumer electronics, personal computers,domestic appliances, photographic equipment, communication products andfinancial and after sales services. It is also a leading provider of business tobusiness IT and related services. In 2004, DSG international plc formed a partnership agreement with EldoradoGroup, the leading electrical retailer in Russia and Ukraine. Under the terms ofthe agreement, DSG international co-operates with Eldorado on issues of mutualcommercial interest and has the right to acquire Eldorado Group by 2011. For more information about DSG international plc, please visit our website,www.dsgiplc.com, or contact our corporate affairs department on +44 (0) 1727204515. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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