Currys income boosted by main recreation launches and AI tech

[ad_1] Your help helps us to inform the story From reproductive rights to local weather change to Large Tech, The Unbiased is on the bottom when the story is creating. Whether or not it is investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our newest documentary, 'The A Phrase', which shines a lightweight on the American ladies preventing for reproductive rights, we all know how necessary it's to parse out the details from the messaging.

At such a important second in US historical past, we'd like reporters on the bottom. Your donation permits us to maintain sending journalists to talk to each side of the story.

The Unbiased is trusted by Individuals throughout the whole political spectrum. And in contrast to many different high quality information shops, we select to not lock Individuals out of our reporting and evaluation with paywalls. We imagine high quality journalism needs to be accessible to everybody, paid for by those that can afford it.

Your help makes all of the distinction. Learn extra Electronics retailer Currys has reported a major uplift in gross sales, attributing the optimistic efficiency to sturdy demand for AI know-how and new gaming launches, alongside a restoration in its Nordics operations.

The corporate introduced revenues of £4.2 billion for the six months ending November, marking a 4 per cent like-for-like improve in comparison with the earlier yr.

Adjusted pre-tax income greater than doubled, reaching £22 million. This monetary enchancment comes regardless of what Currys described as a "muted" client atmosphere and "unhelpful" price pressures.

Within the UK and Eire, the place Currys operates practically 300 shops, the computing sector was the strongest performer, pushed by AI improvements and new video video games.

The retailer additionally highlighted strong demand for gaming equipment, rising well being and sweetness applied sciences, and a 12 per cent soar in Home windows laptop computer gross sales.

Cell merchandise additionally contributed positively over the half-year, with its iD cell community model increasing its share of the broader market.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/12/18/08/38492385575f61034b50e255a4397ea8Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY2MTMxNzg0-2.70259791.jpg" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/12/18/08/38492385575f61034b50e255a4397ea8Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY2MTMxNzg0-2.70259791.jpg?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/12/18/08/38492385575f61034b50e255a4397ea8Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzY2MTMxNzg0-2.70259791.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="AI technology and gaming launches have helped drive higher sales for electronics retailer Currys" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

AI know-how and gaming launches have helped drive increased gross sales for electronics retailer Currys (Currys/PA) However it reported a dip within the sale of client electronics, together with TVs and audio system, which the retailer attributed to there being a spike in demand final yr through the males’s Euro 2024 soccer event.

Chief govt Alex Baldock stated it was “pleasing that sturdy top-line development is translating into improved profitability”.

However he added: “Within the UK and Eire, the buyer atmosphere is extra muted, and price headwinds are unhelpful.”

Currys stated income within the UK have been being weighed down by will increase to the nationwide minimal wage and employer nationwide insurance coverage contributions, from final yr’s autumn price range.

<img src="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/19/10/2024-02-19T082237Z_1427621629_RC2J56AZSQ3P_RTRMADP_3_CURRYS-M-A.JPG" srcset="https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/19/10/2024-02-19T082237Z_1427621629_RC2J56AZSQ3P_RTRMADP_3_CURRYS-M-A.JPG?quality=75&width=320&auto=webp 320w, https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/02/19/10/2024-02-19T082237Z_1427621629_RC2J56AZSQ3P_RTRMADP_3_CURRYS-M-A.JPG?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp 640w" loading="lazy" alt="Electronics retailer Currys also highlighted robust demand for gaming accessories, emerging health and beauty technologies, and a 12 per cent jump in Windows laptop sales" class="sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn"/> open picture in gallery

Electronics retailer Currys additionally highlighted strong demand for gaming equipment, rising well being and sweetness applied sciences, and a 12 per cent soar in Home windows laptop computer gross sales (REUTERS) These price will increase weren't being totally offset by financial savings it has been striving to make throughout the enterprise.

However, Currys hailed an improved efficiency for its Nordics arm after launching a turnaround for the struggling enterprise.

Revenues elevated by 4 per cent on a like-for-like foundation for the area, which has greater than 400 shops, each owned and franchised, and earnings grew.