Dixon Carphone ‘in excellent shape to tackle shifting market’

At Currys and PC World electrical shops, like-for-like sales sales rose 4 per cent in the quarter to August 2 after the World Cup boosted television sales and the group reported some signs of recovery in consumer confidence.

But Carphone’s sales were down by 6 per cent in the same period because of comparisons with an exceptional period of trading a year earlier.

Dixons Carphone, which employs around 43,500 staff across Europe, has already been boosted by its promotion into the FTSE 100 Index.

The newly merged company was formed to tap into the way technology is transforming households through the “Internet of Things”, with smartphones, tablets and rapid internet speeds meaning appliances such as washing machines and fridges will soon be controlled by a mobile device.

Overall, chief executive Sebastian James said the group was in “excellent shape to tackle the perpetually shifting sands of the market”.

Dixons Carphone has now unveiled 11 Currys and PC World stores with Carphone Warehouse concessions, allowing customers to buy products ranging from a toaster to the latest smartphone under one roof.