On the mend?
UK electronics retail group DSGi released interim results for the 24 weeks ended 17 October today, and the owner of PC World reckons its long-term strategy is on-track.
Underlying group sales were down 1 percent to £3.33 billion, but DSGi saw positive trends in its key UK and Ireland operations, with UK Computing returning to sales growth thanks, in part, to a significant improvement following the launch of Microsoft's Windows 7 OS.
"Our turnaround is on track and customers are responding well to the significant changes we are making," said chief exec John Browett. "We have seen improving trends in a number of our businesses, particularly in recent weeks. While we are cautious about the outlook for 2010, we are well-positioned as we enter into Peak trading with compelling offers for customers."
Total sales for the UK and Ireland were down 11 percent to £1,625.7 million, leading to an underlying operating loss of £16.0 million. UK Computing sales were down 17 percent, but it still managed an underlying operating profit of £7.2 million.
PC World reported very weak B2B sales and customers delaying purchases in the lead up to the launch of Windows 7 on 22 October. Since then, PC World reports a positive like for like sales performance.
Elsewhere, Reuters reports that major OEMs, including Acer and Dell, also reported a sales spike around the launch of Windows 7.
