Currys firm plans more megastores

DSG has been seeking to revive sales after being hit by the downturn

DSG International, owner of Currys and PC World, has said it hopes to roll out up to 50 revamped superstores in the UK as part of a turnaround plan.

The stores will be based on its Currys Megastore in Birmingham, which was reformatted as a combined Currys and PC World store in October.

DSG said the store has seen gross profits jump 50% since its re-launch.

In May, DSG set out a plan focusing on improving stores. It has since overhauled 60 of its outlets in the UK.

News of the successful trial store and the planned roll out pleased investors, with DSG's shares ending the day up 19% at 21.75p.

The results of our new formats show that our plans are working John Browett, DSG International chief executive See DSG's share price

The electrical retailer plans to reformat a further 90 to 120 stores in the UK and the Nordic region over the next year.

DSG said it believed there was scope for between 20 to 50 superstores, like the Birmingham one, in the UK.

The company has been hit by the downturn in consumer spending. In January it reported a 10% drop in quarterly sales.

"The past 10 months have been a period of intense activity for the group, and the results of our new formats show that our plans are working," said chief executive John Browett.