Disappointing sales of Microsoft's Vista have hit profits at Dixons by two per cent
Poor Vista sales hit Dixons profits
/v3-uk/news/1984469/poor-vista-sales-hit-dixons-profits
18 Oct 2007, Iain Thomson , V3
Dixons Stores Group (DSG) has blamed poor sales of Microsoft's Windows Vista for a £20m slump in UK profits.
DSG said in a trading statement issued today that lower than expected sales of the operating system in its PC World stores had cut profits by two per cent, and led to stock control issues after the company ordered too many Vista-loaded laptops.
"The reduction in laptop stocks that arose out of disappointing sales of Vista-related products, and a changing sales mix, have reduced gross margins by around two per cent in the computing division, impacting Group profits by around £20m in the first half," said DSG group chairman Sir John Collins.
"Stocks are now at normal levels and we expect to recover some of the lost margin through the second half."
Overall the group is optimistic about the future of its UK business, although Collins said that concerns remain about the outlook for 2008 retail sales.
The Christmas period, which typically accounts for half of DSG's profits, looks good for the company. Strong sales are expected for high-definition TVs, iPods, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras, games consoles and sat-nav equipment.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Poor staff create poor sales
I went into the PCWorld store in Grimsby two months ago to buy a new laptop. I saw one for nearly £1000 that I was very interested in and asked a salesgirl several questions about it. She couldn't answer any of my questions. She tried to get some help from a colleague a few feet away who was arranging a display but he was too wrapped up in what he was doing to be of use. Another colleague came along but he was too interested in her to focus on my questions. I gave up, went to Comet and got good service and a better deal.
This is not the first time that I have experienced poor customer service in PCWorld but it will be the last - I can't see any point in going there again for a major purchase
Posted by James Wheeldon, 18 Oct 2007
Poor Service
I agree with the comment above, I've visited our local PC World in Basingstoke on several occasions and have never been able to either find a member of staff to assist or when I have been able to they've not been able to answer any questions or appear not to care.
Why pay for poor service when there's local independent retailers with a wealth of knowledge and recommendations and only too pleased to help or many online retailers that are far cheaper and where you get a faster response via email than you would waiting in-store at PCWorld.
Posted by JSK, 29 Oct 2007