Mixed fortunes for Dixons Carphone over Christmas

The update from Dixons Carphone will be studied closely by City analysts

Bosses revealed that sales in its electricals division - which includes Currys PC World - were up 2% on a like-for-like basis over the 10 weeks to January 4.

But at Carphone Warehouse sales fell 9% as the company gets to grips with the changing face of the market.

Chief executive Alex Baldock said: "Credit and services adoption rates increased, online sales grew strongly, and our newly remodelled stores performed well.

"Coupled with our unambiguous 'You won't get it cheaper. Full stop' price promise, alongside better availability and delivery, this led to big improvements in customer satisfaction and strong market share gains in electricals."

He added that supersized TVs were particularly popular, with sales of 65-inch models up 75%. Dyson products, Shark vacuum sales, Fitbit, Apple Airpods and Nintendo Switches also did well.

Overseas, there was stronger growth for the retailer's Nordics and Greek divisions, with like-for-like sales up 3% and 6% respectively.

Dixons Carphone added that demand for domestic appliances and kitchens was high, with online growth up 5%. In the UK and Ireland online sales rose 7%.

On the mobile business, the company said it is working on plans to launch a new offer later this year.

And its focus on selling goods on credit continues to be successful, with such transactions up 40% year on year.