Dixons Carphone has reported an uptick in sales amid the coronavirus pandemic, buoyed by a surge in its online business. 

The electricals specialist posted a 12% rise in sales in the 17 weeks to August 29, with online sales up 164% in the same period.

Dixons Carphone said ecommerce sales more than tripled year on year during the period its stores were closed and have remained at more than double last year’s levels since stores reopened.

The retailer also revealed it is exploring the option of listing a minority stake in its Nordic division next year. It said the move would “further strengthen the capital structure” of the division “whilst retaining the full benefits of Nordics staying firmly as part of the Dixons Carphone Group”.

The retailer’s Nordic arm registered a 17% increase in sales year on year during the 17-week period and has now become the market leader in all the countries in which it operates.

That performance marked a stark contrast to its Dixons Travel fascias, which suffered a 90% slump in sales year on year, as footfall to airports plummeted.

The group also posted a 56% drop in mobile phone sales following the closure of its standalone Carphone Warehouse stores earlier this year.

Chief executive Alex Baldock said: “Online has continued to power ahead: in the UK and Ireland alone we grew online sales by more than £500m in four months, growth that stayed strong even as stores reopened. We will continue to help everyone enjoy amazing technology, however they choose to shop with us, at scale and in ways that other retailers cannot match.

“We’ve started the year well, but nobody knows what the future holds and, like many, we remain cautious in our outlook.”

Dixons is due to publish its interim results on December 16.

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