Good outlook for Christmas
Carphone Warehouse unveiled a positive set of interim results this morning and confirmed plans for a major push into the broadband market.

The retailer posted a 2.3 per cent rise in like-for-like retail revenue for the 26 weeks to October 1. Pre-tax profit for the period was up by 35.6 per cent to£37 million from£27.3 million last year.

'We are growing our retail presence aggressively,' said Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone. 'Our strong commitment to the UK broadband market, announced today, further builds on our foundations.'

Total connections, across subscriptions and pre-pay, grew by 16.8 per cent to 3.23 million as the retailer upped its market share by opening 147 stores in the first half - taking the number of stores, including franchises, to 1,586.

The group added that it expects the mobile phone market to grow rather than slump through the Christmas and New Year period.

Numis retail analyst Steve Davies said: 'We believe that Carphone Warehouse is better placed than just about any other major retailer for the festive season.'