DSG beats expectations thanks to computer and TV sales

Strong demand for computers, consoles and flat-panel TVs has helped Currys.digital and PC World owner DSG International beat expectations. It says in its half-year trading statement that like-for-like sales are up 6% in the UK and 5% across the group.

However, price cuts at its PC World stores reduced its first-half profit by about £20m. Finance director Kevin O’Byrne says appetite for flat-panel TVs, laptop computers and games consoles remains strong.

“We are seeing a pretty ebullient and robust performance across our biggest markets,” he adds. O’Byrne believes retailers can shrug minor economic downturns if the goods they are selling are interesting enough.

He says: “We have always said that if there is an exciting product cycle people spend money. We are cautiously optimistic about Christmas.”

The retailer is without a chief executive after John Clare stepped down last month after 13 years at the helm. His replacement John Browett is being made to work his notice from Tesco, where he headed Tesco.com.