Dixons Carphone enjoy boost thanks to strong sales

ELECTRICALS retailer Dixons Carphone yesterday hailed a “very encouraging” start to its trading year as revenues surged on the back of strong smartphone and TV sales.

It's been a good start for Dixons Carphone. Picture: Getty

The group – created following the £5 billion merger of Dixons and Carphone Warehouse last summer – said like–for–like sales in the UK jumped 10 per cent in the 13 weeks to 1 August compared with a year ago, beating City forecasts.

It added that despite seeing “price competitiveness” throughout the period across all of its regions, group like–for–like sales lifted 8 per cent.

The firm also runs stores in Northern and Southern Europe.

Dixons said the business would continue to invest in such areas as service levels, digital marketing and free warranties to ensure its profitability.

The upbeat sales contrast with rival high street chain Argos, owned by Home Retail, which said store sales fell by 2.8 per cent in the 13 weeks to 29 August due to weak demand for TVs and tablet computers.

Dixons confirmed it will open its first US joint venture stores with American electricals retailer Sprint next week. It said in July it plans to open 20 retail outlets with Sprint, in the first stage of a partnership that could extend to 500 sites.