As was widely expected, the Dixons Group which trades as Currys and PC World in the UK saw a rise in sales which has been in part attributed to the recent demise of Comet.
The retailer has reported a big boost from the sales of tablets and other technology items over the Christmas period and a marked increase in large kitchen appliance sales. Sebastian James, the chief executive said that, “Once the Comet stores closed we did see a lot of customers coming across the street to us.”
Mr James also commented on the recent casualties in the high street, in particular to the closure of Jessops and fall of HMV as being “quite seismic” and that, “It is quite heartbreaking to see all those great brands disappearing from the high street.”. No doubt also quite grateful for the boost that his own company saw from Comet falling and then HMV entering into administration.
But it wasn’t all good news for Currys with the boost in UK performance being offset by poor results from other trading areas in Europe with sales at it’s online Pixmania store falling by around a quarter and a reported 8% drop at chains held in Greece, Italy and Turkey. However it is reported that the group saw an 11% increase across Northern Europe with an 8% rise in the UK and Ireland.
But now ERT reports that the group is to drive down prices in-store to internet levels in a bid to compete with online retailers with a Dixons spokesperson stating that, “The internet makes prices very transparent, so we need to be on the money with that. If we can get our prices close to those found online then we can differentiate ourselves on service”.