Dixons' overseas business beats UK sales figures

Electricals market leader Dixons' burgeoning international business outpaced the more mature UK operations during the first half.

Internationally, like-for-like sales rose 3 per cent, but in the UK they were flat and at the eponymous chain they fell 2 per cent.

Dixons finance director Jeremy Darroch highlighted the retailer's growing strength overseas and said that the 15-strong Spanish PC City chain has now moved from test to 'roll-out'. Spanish store openings will be 'accelerated'.

Dixons posted interim pre-tax profit, excluding goodwill amortisation, up 9 per cent to£105.7 million on turnover up 21 per cent to£3.1 billion.

At Christmas, total UK sales rose 7 per cent, while like-for-likes were up 4 per cent.

Group Christmas sales rose 12 per cent in total and 5 per cent like for like.