World Cup sales boost helps Kesa

The World Cup is expected to boost demand for flat screen TVs

Revenues have picked up at Comet owner Kesa, helped by strong TV sales in the run-up to the football World Cup.

Kesa, which also owns French market leader Darty, said its first-quarter group sales to 30 April grew 6.5%.

But demand in the UK for electrical appliances such as cookers and washing machines remained weak.

Like-for-like sales at Darty rose 4.7% and were up 2.8% at Comet, as the group recorded what it called a "satisfactory start" to 2006.

Chief executive Jean-Noel Labroue said: "In May, ahead of the World Cup, we are seeing further acceleration of TV sales across the group."

In January Kesa said pre-tax profits had dropped by almost a fifth during 2005, to £143.3m ($251m).