Kesa Electricals said like-for-like sales fell 3.9% as a return to growth at its Comet stores in the UK was offset by weakness in France.
Comet stores saw a 0.3% rise in like-for-like sales in the three months to July 31, after an improvement in the sale of fridges and other whitegoods.
Conditions were challenging in France, particularly in the sale of televisions and other household electrical goods, as its Darty chain declined 3.7%.
Chief executive Thierry Falque-Pierrotin said the group overall traded in line with its markets, but faced “widely varying” regional conditions.
“All of the businesses have maintained a strong focus on protecting retail profit and have prepared themselves for the more significant trading period ahead.”
Analysts said Thursday’s figures pointed to “substantial” market share gains for Comet over the quarter. Currys sales were recently reported to be down 14%, while industry data pointed to a 5% fall in the market overall.
With Thursday’s improvement achieved in a seasonally quieter trading period, Kesa was reluctant to revise its previous profits guidance to the City.