19th Jan 2006 07:01
Kesa Electricals plc19 January 2006 19 January 2006 Trading Update Kesa Electricals plc today announces a trading update for the period 1 November2005 to 8 January 2006, based on unaudited management accounts. Turnover growth as reported Darty 2.2%Comet 2.6%BUT (4.0)%Other* 19.1%Group Total 3.0% Turnover growth in local currency Total Like-for-likeDarty 4.7% 2.5%Comet 2.6% (2.0)%BUT (1.6)% (8.6)%Other* 20.6% 4.6%Group Total 4.4% (0.3)% *BCC, Vanden Borre, Datart, Darty Italy, Darty Switzerland Compared to the same period reported last year, total Group sales grew by 3.0per cent, 4.4 per cent in local currency. Darty and Comet delivered good salesduring the peak season led by strong performances in new technologies,particularly flat screen televisions. Sales at our Other Businesses* remained satisfactory and we saw furtherconfirmation of an improved performance in Holland. In contrast, BUT continued to face the difficult trading conditions andaggressive competitive environment experienced at the end of the third quarter.Total store sales fell by 4.3 per cent in local currency, down 8.6 per cent on alike for like basis. Chief Executive Jean-Noel Labroue commented, "Following a difficult November, all our electrical businesses experiencedbetter sales performances in the key peak trading period. As predicted, this wasdriven by strong sales in new technologies while sales of the more traditionalwhite goods continued to be weak. With our commitment to margin and costmanagement, we anticipate that overall the Group will deliver results for thefull year towards the lower end of current market expectations." As previously stated, Kesa Electricals plc's preliminary results for the yearended 31 January 2006 will be announced on 22 March 2006. Enquiries Analysts Kesa Electricals plcSimon Ward +44 (0) 20 7269 1400 Media Kesa Electricals plcAnnabel Donaldson UK +44 (0) 20 7269 1400Guy Lavaud France +33 (0) 1 43 18 52 00 FinsburyAbigail Irving-Bell UK +44 (0) 20 7251 3801 Euro RSCGLaurent Dondey France +33 (0) 1 58 47 95 17 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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