18th Jan 2006 07:01
DSG International PLC18 January 2006 PR 03/2006Strictly embargoed.For release after 07.00 hours18 January 2006 DSG INTERNATIONAL plc (FORMERLY DIXONS GROUP PLC) CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK DSG international plc, the leading European specialist electrical retailer,today issued the following update on trading for the 8 weeks ended 7 January2006. All sales figures are based on local currency performance: Total Sales Like for Like Sales ------------- -------------UK & Ireland ElectricalsCurrys +6% +3%Dixons +5% +8%Ireland +40% +17%Nordic - Elkjop +8% +4%Southern EuropeKotsovolos (1%) (5%)UniEuro +13% +9%Central Europe - Electro World +9% n/a----------------------------- ------------- --------------Total Electricals Division +7% +4%----------------------------- ------------- -------------- UK Computing - PC World +8% +3%International Computing - PC City +33% n/a----------------------------- ------------- --------------Total Computing +10% +3%UK Communications - The LinkCommunications Group (27%) (28%)----------------------------- ------------- --------------Total Computing & Communications Division +2% (4%)----------------------------- ------------- --------------Total Group +5% +2%============================= ============= ============== Gross margins across the Group were in line with last year. NOTES: 1. All sales figures are based on local currency performance whilst the sub-totals for the divisions and the totals for the Group are translated to Sterling 2. Total sales for PC World include PC World Business. Like for like sales are for PC World stores only 3. Store numbers for PC City and Electro World were insufficient in the comparative period for a meaningful like for like comparison 4. Total sales for The Link Communications Group include Genesis. Like for like sales are for The Link stores only. 5. The change in total Group sales excludes Codic, the discontinuing residual property operations. During the 8 week period to 7 January 2006, total Group sales were up 5% andlike for like sales were up 2%. In UK retail total sales were up 3% and like forlike sales were up 1%. International retail total sales were up 11% and like forlike sales were up 4%. John Clare, Chief Executive, commented: "I am pleased with the Group's performance over our peak season with encouragingtrading in our UK electricals and computing businesses and in our overseasoperations. This was very much a 'digital Christmas' in our stores, with gift items such asgames consoles, satellite navigation equipment, iPODs and MP3 music players,flat panel televisions and laptops particularly performing well. While peak was encouraging, Christmas is a very different trading period to therest of the year. We remain cautious about the consumer outlook for the comingmonths, particularly in the UK, Italy and Greece, where underlying levels ofconsumer confidence remain low. Concerns about personal finance issues likepensions, tax increases and energy costs remain on the UK consumer's agenda. Ourstrategy is to continue to retain a high focus on costs, margin protection,capital discipline and retail innovation. There is a steady pipeline of new consumer technology products, which willcontinue to allow us to offer attractive ranges and deals to customersthroughout 2006. We have the right strategy and strong management in place tocontinue to grow profitably within the markets in which we operate." Maylands Avenue John ClareHemel Hempstead Group Chief ExecutiveHertfordshire HP2 7TG 18 January 2006 For further informationDSG international plcKevin O'Byrne, Group Finance Director 0870 8503333David Lloyd-Seed, Director of Investor Relations 01727 205065Hamish Thompson, Director of Media Relations 01727 203 195 / 07702 684290 A copy of this announcement, together with information on DSG international plc,is available at http://www.dsgiplc.com. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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