We still have phones for you, says Dixons boss

Like-for-like sales at the group rose by 8 per cent in the first quarter, boosted by a 10 per cent jump in Britain, reports The Times. The increase came despite turmoil in Greece, a tough act to follow after the World Cup lifted television sales last year and the impact of a cyber-attack that forced the group to close websites during the period.

Sebastian James, its chief executive, said that the Carphone Warehouse side of the business had won “significant” market share. Phones4u collapsed last year, so customers wanting to buy a phone from an independent supplier, rather than directly from a network, had little choice.

However, Mr Jamessaid that the group faced an uphill task to beat last year’s Christmas trading, which was boosted by new Apple phones. Carphone’s decision to launch its own network brand again, offering free roaming and 12-month contracts, also had proved a success.

Mr James said, too, that the company had increased investment in cyber defences since it was breached. “This is a war of attrition between us and the criminals that are trying to break in. We keep building higher walls and they keep bringing taller ladders,” he said.

Dixons Carphone shares rose 7½p to 427½p.