Sales rise at Currys, PC World Irish stores

DSG INTERNATIONAL – the electrical goods retailer which operates the Currys and PC World chains – has announced that current trading is ahead of its previous expectations, across all of its geographical markets, due mainly to strong Christmas sales.

For the 12 weeks up to the end of the first week in January, total group sales – on a year-on-year basis – were up by 8%. In its UK & Ireland division (it operates 30 stores across the two brands here), sales growth was measured at 5%, with specific electricals (Currys stores) sales up by 8%. Sales in DSG’s continental European operations rose by 5%, year-on-year, in the period in question, while the strongest growth was in its Scandinavian operations, were a sales increase of 18% was noted.

Sales in DSG’s Irish operations – during the latter half of 2009 – were improved by the company incorporating the British VAT rate to its pricing in a bid to curb the amount of consumers travelling north of the border to seek cheaper prices.

Meanwhile, British department store chain House of Fraser also yesterday reported an upbeat trading statement. For the eight weeks up to January 2, the company generated a 7.1% year-on-year sales increase. Online sales were up 91%.

In Ireland – where House of Fraser has two stores in Belfast and the Dundrum Town Centre in south Dublin – sales were healthy.