Dixons Carphone posts strong trading update for Christmas period

Group confirms Seb James will step down from his role as CEO after six years to join Boots

UK sales were bolstered by better iPhone X availability (PA)

Dixons Carphone has reported a 4 per cent rise in revenue during the 10 weeks to 6 January compared with the same period a year earlier, particularly helped by a solid performance across its business in Greece and the Nordics.

Chief executive Seb James said on Monday that the group’s Boxing Day sales had not quite matched “the promise of our very strong Black Friday week” but that he was confident Dixons Carphone had managed to grow market share “in pretty much every category”.

“Particularly strong this year were large-screen TVs, gaming, smart tech, and SIM-free phones,” he said. “We sold just under one in three SIM-free phones in the UK market over the period, further strengthening our customer relevance,” he added.

In the UK, Dixons Carphone said sales were also bolstered by better iPhone X availability.

“Looking forward, we continue to keep our antennae twitching for any material change in consumer behaviour, but remain relentless in our focus on providing the best value, choice, and service to our consumers,” Mr James said.

He said that an early Easter, the launch of a new Samsung phone and a promotion around the World Cup all have the potential to boost performance over the coming months.

The group now expects full-year profit before tax to be in the range of £365m to £385m, compared with a previous range of £340m to £399m.

Separately on Monday, Dixons Carphone confirmed that Mr James would be stepping down from his role as CEO after six years to join Boots. He will be replaced by Alex Baldock from April.

As well as operating under the Carphone Warehouse name, Dixons Carphone also owns brands including Currys, PC World and Team Knowhow.

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