DSG’s Irish sales rise by close to 30%

ELECTRICAL goodsretailer DSG has seen its Irish sales rise by nearly 30%.

DSG, which owns the Dixons, Currys and PC World brands, said sales in the year to end April 2007 increased by €44.2 million to €195.3m. The company said sales of large flat panel television, laptop computers and satellite navigation devices rose.

No profit figures for the Irish business were released by the company.

Like-for-like sales, which excludes the impact of seven new stores that opened during the year, rose by 8%. Over the 2006/2007 financial year DSG opened four Currys and three PC World outlets.

The company has also opened its first franchise operating in Ireland under the Currys name in Letterkenny. Declan Ronayne, DSG managing direct in Ireland, said the franchise move was part of the company’s plans to expand more rapidly.

“This is part of our long-term strategy to develop the Currys brand in Ireland. We look forward to developing franchise partnerships with other independent retailers as we develop towards out medium term aim of 30 Currys locations in Ireland,” Mr Ronayne said.

The Irish arm of DSG was one of the few bright spots for the company.

Profits for the year came in at £114.1m (€169m) compared with £295m a year earlier. The fall was in part due to a poor performance of its businesses in France and Italy.