Last December, the group scaled profit expectations downwards to between £100 million and £125 million, from the £130 million-£150 million range guided in July last year.
The company said all of its Irish Carphone Warehouse stores had now closed. Currys says it continues to operate at 16 sites across the State. The group does not break out specific performance figures for the Irish business. People are spending on gaming, coffee machines and electronic haircare appliances to try to save money by doing more at home, Currys said. “What’s going less well is smart speakers,” Mr Baldock said. “Amazon Alexa has had a terrible year.”
Although its shipping costs are falling, the group’s energy and wage bills remain high. In Ireland and Britain, the group raised salaries 14 per cent in the past year and 37 per cent over the past five years to attract and retain staff.