Kesa revenues drop by -1.3% Y-o-Y for the 1 November 2011 - 8 January 2012 period, as market conditions remain weak during the end-of-year period.

Darty France revenues are down by -4.7% Y-o-Y, while Darty Italy, Turkey and Spain show 1.7% Y-o-Y growth for the period. The retailer say sgrowth was seen in sales within the multimedia device segments, particularly in tablets and notebooks.

The other established Kesa businesses-- Vanden Borre, Datart and BCC-- show "strong revenue performances," with Continue reading...

Carphone Warehouse releases the first update following the closure of the 11 Best Buy-branded stores (and clearing of all inventory) in the UK.

The £1.1 billion Best Buy UK venture called it quits following losses of £46.7M in the 6 months to September 2011.

Total CPW Europe revenues are down by -4.7% Y-o-Y, even if the retailer hopes for growth through postpay connections (due to customer contract renewals and new smartphone launches).

The retailer is also pushing the non-mobile category further Continue reading...

Under the latest update of the Waste Electrical and Electric Equipment Directive (WEEE), large CE retailers will have to take back old devices for free, without need for customers making a new purchase.

The take-back directive covers retailers with shop space of 400 square metres or larger, and will come into force over the next 7 years.

The EU plans to improve electrical and electronic waste collection within the region from the current 4kg per capita to around 20kg by 2020. Authorities estimate Continue reading...

Best Buy announces leadership changes and names Shari Ballard president of Best Buy International, overseeing the retailer's European venture as well as channels in Canada, China and Mexico.

Ballard was previously Americas president with Mike Vitelli, and began her Best Buy career in 1993 as assistant store manager before moving to human resources in 1997. She also gets the title of executive VP.

Best Buy is currently out of Europe, having left the UK on January 15th 2012 after closing all its Continue reading...

Dixons Retail claims "solid performance" for the 12 weeks ending 7th January 2012, despite total group sales declining by -5% Y-o-Y for the period.

UK & Ireland sales for the Currys and PC World owner (excluding new store openings) fall by -7% Y-o-Y. The retailer says the 2011 VAT increase "distorted" Christmas period sales totals, as like-for-like sales were up 2% in the 1-14th January 2012 period and up 23% during 4-14 January 2012.

The retailer says stores having KNOWHOW installation and support Continue reading...

Jan. 16th saw the opening of another Media Markt offering-- an online shop currently open for customers based in Germany.

The retailer says the online shop is "closely linked" to the  244 Media Markt stores in Germany, allowing customers to pick up ordered goods at a store of their choice.

Products available online cover the new media, TV and home cinema, audio, mobile, navigation devices, camera and video and small domestic appliances categories. Media Markt says around 2500 different products Continue reading...

2011 hasn't been too kind on European retail, not with the region still risking recession and a CE market undergoing "significant deterioration" (according to GfK). But who were the movers and shakers this year?

The biggest retail headline was definitely Best Buy's leaving the UK and closing its 11 big box stores in the country, following £62 million worth of losses last fiscal year. The UK pull out follows something of a pattern for the retailer, as it also left Turkey (after a 2-store trial) and closed all 9 Best Buy branded stores in China in favour expanding the more profitable Five Star brand-- something it will surely repeat with the Carphone Warehouse, in which it still holds a stake.

The HMV group reports a 40.8% Y-o-Y decline for the half-year period ending October 2011, with revenues totalling £443.3M-- a net loss of £40.6M, up from £37.8M over the same period in 2010.

Total sales for the retailer are also down by 17.6% Y-o-Y, reaching £364.9M.

HMV warns of "material uncertainties" causing concerns for the future, as the current economic situation remains one best described as "wobbly." Earlier this year HMV also sold off Waterstones and HMV Canada.

However HMV says sales Continue reading...