| DSG international plc |
|
|
| Type |
Public (LSE: DSGI) |
| Founded |
27 October, 1937 (as Dixon Studios Limited) |
| Headquarters |
Hemel Hempstead, England,
UK |
| Key people |
Lord Kalms of Edgware (President)
Sir John Collins (Chairman
since September 2002),
John Clare (Group Chief Executive since
2007),
Kevin O'Byrne (Group Finance Director since
19 July 2004)
Ben Bengougam (Group Director of Human Resources since
January 2006) |
| Industry |
Retail and E-Tail |
| Products |
Brown Goods,
White Goods,
Telecommunications,
Information Technology,
Digital photo processing,
Pre-Recorded Media,
Childcare Equipment |
| Revenue |
 £7,072 million
GBP
(2006)[1] |
| Operating
income |
£261.9 million
GBP (2006) |
| Net income |
£211.7 million
GBP (2006) |
| Employees |
42,000+ (2006) |
| Slogan |
n/a. |
| Website |
http://www.dsgiplc.com/ |
The United Kingdom based company DSG international plc (aka DSGi), formerly Dixons Stores Group plc, is one of the largest
consumer electronics retailers in Europe. The
company operates the Dixons, Dixons Tax Free,
Currys, Currys.digital and PC World stores along with many other brands across Europe. DSGi is also a member of the
FTSE 100 Index.
The Group's main focus is to specialise in the sale of high technology consumer electronics products, audio-video equipment,
PCs, small and large domestic appliances, photographic equipment, communication
products and related financial and after sales services (e.g. extended service agreements). Alternate products and services
provided by the group included electrical products, spares accessories and repairs, mobile services, online digital photo
processing, pre-recorded media and even childcare equipment. Their main rival is KESA
Electricals plc, which owns Comet and Darty.
History
1937-1949
Charles Kalms opened the first Dixons photographic studio at 32 High Street, Southend. The business was incorporated as a
private company called Dixon Studios Limited and registered on 27 October 1937 with share capital of £100.
Charles Kalms had been selling advertising space on the London Underground when he met Michael Mindel, who had a small
photographic studio in Oxford Street but was keen to expand. They became the first directors of the company.
When the first studio opened in Southend, the shop front could accommodate a name of no more than six letters. The solution
was found in the telephone directory - "Dixons" was short enough to fit over the door [2].
Throughout the war years, there was an unprecedented demand for portrait photography, particularly from service personnel and
their families. The company flourished and set up seven studios in the London area. But by the end of the war, the market
contracted as dramatically as it had expanded and the company was reduced to a single studio in Edgware, north London.
But Stanley Kalms, who joined the business in 1948 at the age of 16, capitalised on the interest in photography which had
resulted from the war. The company began advertising new and secondhand photographic products in the trade, local and national
press.
This laid the foundations for a mail order division, which coupled with "make your own terms" credit agreements, ensured that
Dixons would become the number one photographic dealer.
1950-1959
In 1957 Dixons expanded so rapidly it was forced to find a new head office to accommodate the growing number of employees
dealing with 60,000 mail order customers and provide administrative back-up for six stores. Soon the sq ft ( m²)
premises in High Street, Edgware became a buying centre too when Stanley Kalms started regular trips to the Far East. He forged
vital links with Japanese manufacturers who supplied Dixons directly with products often made to the company's own specification
and sold under the brand name of 'Prinz'. Hard bargaining and bulk buying, predominantly in Japan, gave Dixons a competitive edge
over its rivals.
1960-1969
In 1962 Dixons had 16 branches and was listed on the London Stock Exchange under the name of Dixons Photographic Limited. A
rapid expansion of the store portfolio followed throughout the 1960s, including the acquisition of major competitors Ascotts
(1962) and Bennetts (1964) which added 13 and 29 retail outlets respectively to the Dixons chain.
In 1967 Dixons diversified into developing and printing by taking control of an sq ft ( m²) colour processing
laboratory in Stevenage, the most up-to-date in Europe at the time. Again mail order on a massive scale became key to the
company's success. Japanese audio and hi-fi units were also introduced into the Dixons range.
In the mid sixties, Dixons took over a photo processing company called Contaprint. Quality of prints were never very good and
eventually it closed down.
A manufacturing company was also bought, originally called Granville, making movie lights and the infamous Titlemaster titling
unit. Sales were poor and unit was closed.
A big success was the purchase of the unsold stock of the Miranda camera company which enabled Dixons to offer some high
quality goods at very low prices.
In late sixties Dixons moved into Holland with the purchase of the Rink chain. This venture failed and was sold off although
the buyer retained the Dixons brand.
1970-1979
In 1971 Charles Kalms stood down as Chairman and was succeeded by his son Stanley. Charles became Life President of the
Group.
In 1972 the 15 Wallace Heaton shops in the London area were acquired. The gradual reduction in the working week meant more
leisure time for everyone. A number of Dixons stores included sports departments and photography as a hobby boomed, increasing
sales of cameras year on year throughout the decade.
In 1974 the main Stevenage Distribution Centre opened on a seven acre site with sq ft ( m²) of floor space,
computerised control and conveyor belt stock handling. At the time it was the largest computerised warehouse in Europe.
In 1978 Charles Kalms President of the Group died at the age of 80.
During late seventies Dixons also took over the Greens Photographic chain. New products experimented with included burglar
alarms, metal detectors and skate boards.
1980-1989
In 1980, sales suffered when the new Conservative government increased VAT. Over 400 staff were made redundant overnight in a
major cost cutting exercise.
In 1982 Dixons introduced their Saisho own-brand range of electronic goods spanning audio, TV
and video products, since re-branded Advent. Dixons and Currys currently also sell a range of own brand goods under the
Matsui brand.
In 1984 the Currys Group was acquired, adding 613 retail outlets to the Group together with Mastercare, the nationwide
electrical appliance service organisation with 41 depots and 900 engineers. Also part of the deal was Bridgers, a chain of white
and brown goods discount stores which formed the basis of today's Currys Superstores. Further acquisitions over the years have
included a number of similar chains, such as Orbit and Greens.
In 1986 the Group acquired the Supasnaps chain of 337 specialist photo shops.
In 1987 in its 50th Anniversary year, the Group acquired Silo, the US's third largest power retailer with 147 stores.
In 1988 the acquisition of Wigfalls brought into the Group a further 106 shops, trading mainly in the Midlands and north of
England. Dixons' and Currys' head office departments and support functions were integrated into a single entity, Dixons Stores
Group, with John Clare appointed Managing Director. The two chains, however, retained separate brand identities.
In 1989 the film processing division was sold to its management.
1990-1999
In 1993 the Group bought Vision Technology Group Ltd (VTA), which operated four PC World Superstores and a group of companies
selling mail order PCs, peripherals, software and accessories to companies, educational institutions and private individuals.
VTG's PC World Superstores were based in Croydon, Lakeside Retail Park at West Thurrock, Brentford and Staples Corner, north
London. The Group sold VTG's mail order division and focused on the retail side of the business.
The Group also sold Dixons US Holdings Inc, Silo's parent company, to Fretter Inc, in which it retained a 30 per cent stake.
Supasnaps was sold to Sketchley plc.
In 1994 the Group announced the pilot of a new shopping format called The Link, which would sell the latest generation of
communication services and products. Later that year the first Dixons Tax Free store opened at
Heathrow Terminal 3 in July 1994.
In 1995 the Group opened the largest electrical superstore in Europe at the time, a 32,000 sq
ft Currys Superstore at Junction 9 of the M6 in Birmingham.
In 1996 Group Chairman Stanley Kalms was awarded a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List in recognition of his services to
electrical retailing.
The Group also acquired DN Computer Services plc (DNCS), the computer reseller business, which became part of the PC World
division. DNCS enabled PC World to establish a strong position in the £3 billion business-to-business market. The group followed
by launching PC World Business Direct in 1997, a new IT mail order service incorporating the brand strength of PC World and the
sector expertise of DNCS.
In 1996 the Group opened the first out of town Dixons store at Fosse Park retail centre, Leicester and its first store in the
Republic of Ireland. The next year the Group acquired the retail assets of Harry Moore Ltd, the Ireland-based electrical
retailer, allowing the group to strengthened its presence in Ireland, opening a third Dixons store in Dublin and the first PC
World store (and the largest computer superstore) in the Republic.
In 1997 Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Limited (Cellnet) bought a 40 per cent stake in The Link.
In October 1997 the Group launched Dixons Online website. Customers were offered guaranteed next-day delivery on mainland UK
of over 2,000 products. Followed by new e-commerce sites for PC World Business Direct and PC World Software in 1998.
In 1998 Currys became the first UK electrical retailer to stock plasma TVs in widescreen format. Later in the year, Currys and
Dixons were among the first retailers to sell integrated digital TVs.
In September 1998 the Group launched Freeserve, the UK's first fully-featured internet service available free with no
registration or subscription fees. This was later sold to France Telecom and renamed Wanadoo.
In January 1999 Dixons Group Retail Properties Limited was established to manage and develop the Group's retail portfolio.
Also in 1999 The Link sold its millionth mobile phone after just four years of trading, and Freeserve also announced a
milestone with its millionth subscriber.
Dixons Select was launched in October 1999 on Open, the first integrated digital television shopping service.
In December 1999 the Group made an offer for leading Nordic electrical retailer, Elkjøp ASA. Within six weeks, the deal was
complete.
2000-present
In 2004, Dixons announced they would stop selling VCRs when their existing
stock ran out as there was no longer sufficient demand for them, compared to DVD Players. On
8 August 2005 Dixons followed this move by announcing they would
stop selling non-digital cameras.
In 2005 the group also acquired an interest with an option to buy the Eldorado Group[3], the largest
electrical retailer in Russia and Ukraine by 2011 at a fixed
price of $1.9 billion (£1 billion GBP) with plans of further expansion into the European market, by entering one new country each
year either through acquisition of an existing business or the start up of a new one.
In late 2006 the group was awarded The Queen's Award for Enterprise. To celebrate, all employees were offered a congratulation
medal.
In 2006 the group announced that their Dixons brand presence would continue purely online and that all high-street Dixons
stores would be rebranded as Currys.digital.
In January 2007, Dixons subsidiary PC World announced they would no longer carry floppy
drives after current stock runs out.
In March 2007 DSGi said it had identified a "significant fraud operation" at the Parisian warehouse operations of its unit
Fotovista SA, and warned it expects the issue to offset profit contributions from its new businesses this year.
Group structure *
Electricals Division
Dixons Tax-Free
Dixons Tax-Free operates at airports and other locations around the UK, selling items without the 17.5% VAT charge.
Currys
The Currys group, including Mastercare, was purchased by Dixons in 1984, then adding an extra
613 stores, 41 depots, and 900 engineers to the Group. Currys claims to be the UK's
largest electrical retailer, with a total of 547 stores (including the Currys.digital brand), 302 out-of-town superstores, 42 Currys high-street and 190 Currys.digital high-street
shops employing a total of 9204 staff (2006). They also have 4 stores in the Republic of
Ireland (as of 19 August, 2006). The company's primary
market is white and brown goods, but they also
sell small kitchen appliances, computers and
mobile phones. Currys specialise in home electronics
and household appliances. Their annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £1,985 million
and £1,852 million year ending April 2005.
Currys.digital
Currys.digital is the rebranded name for Dixons retail outlets in the UK excluding Ireland and the Dixons Tax Free stores
operating from UK airports. In April 2006 the Group decided to move its focus for the Dixons chain from the high street and
concentrate purely on e-commerce. The stores were subsequently renamed
Currys.digital as an extension of Currys (also part of the Group's retail outlets) to allow Dixons to break free from the high
street. The rebranded Currys.digital markets itself as a specialist division of Currys aimed at the technology-focused consumer
with product ranges such as cameras, personal computers, audio and video equipment - as Dixons had in the past - while offering a
range of large and small domestic appliances that the traditional Currys stores sell.
In an interview with The Independent newspaper on 18 January 2007, John Clare admitted that the future of its 200-odd high street
stores was in doubt. He said the group would not be renewing the leases on its Currys.digital stores because of the upward
pressure on rents.
It's not a policy decision to move away from the high street, moving away is a consequence of high rents.
- John Clare CBE (Group Chief Executive)
DSG Insurance Services
DSG Insurance Services offers a service for the provision of electrical goods and claims handling services to the UK insurance
replacement market. An end to end service is offered, from initial call handling and claim validation, through to repair or
replacement – either with replacement goods or an insurance replacement voucher – and after-sales support. The insurance
replacement voucher is a process that gives customers direct access to the Group's wide range of products and services. The
vouchers are redeemable at any branch of Currys, Currys.digital and PC World.
Distribution
This was done by Mastercare Ltd, a division of DSGi.
As of mid 2006, Mastercare's repair division name was changed to "The TechGuys", and Distribution division changed to Currys
Distribution.
Distribution to customers is done throughout 2 different routes, first being a collection of HDCs (Home Delivery Centres
previously known as X-Docks) supplying larger items through out the country such as Bristol, Cardiff, Epsom, Erith, Plympton,
Southampton and Perivale, all of which are supplied by 2 main stock centres (HUBs) based in Newark and Bristol. The second route,
CDC (Customer Distribution Centre), supplies smaller items direct to customers via a third party courier.
Distribution to stores is also done via 2 different routes, first being RDCs (Regional Distribution Centres) supplying larger
items, based at the sames sites in Newark and Bristol covering the North and South on the country respectively. The second route
occurs from the companies NDC (National Distribution Centre) warehouse based in Stevenage supplying small domestic appliances and
other smaller stock items. The NDC also handles the companies standard returns of faulty items. The Stevenage NDC operation
closed in April 2007.
DSG Ireland
DSG Ireland have stores in the major centres of the Republic of Ireland. As of
April 2006 there were eight Dixons stores, four Currys and nine
PC World outlets. DSG Ireland have announced that they will not be adopting the new
Currys.digital branding for high-street stores, instead retaining the traditional Dixons branding, with Currys being used
exclusively for large-format superstores.
Elkjøp
Elkjøp retails in the Nordic region. Elkjøp operates 6 retail chains stores across Norway (Elkjøp, El Giganten, Gigantti,
Lefdal Lavpris, Markatalo and Elko) in Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. Elkjøp currently operates 221 stores employing a
total of 5105 staff (2006), These stores sell white goods, brown goods, consumer electronics, PCs, communications products and
related services through. Their combined annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £1,155 million.
El Giganten
El Giganten is a retail brand operated under Elkjøp. There are 51 El Giganten stores in Sweden, 26 in Denmark and three in the
Faroe Islands, specialising in mixed electricals in out of town locations.
Gigantti
Gigantti is a retail brand operated under Elkjøp. There are currently 21 superstores in Finland under the Gigantti brand. The
first opened in September 1999.
Lefdal Lavpris
Lefdal Lavpris is a retail brand operated under Elkjøp. There are 8 Lefdal Lavpris operating across Norway.
Markantalo
Markantalo is a retail brand operated under Elkjøp. In January 2006, the Group acquired the 22 store portfolio of
Markantalo
Electro World
Electro World is DSG international’s chain of electrical superstores in Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Poland. It now has 18
stores and employs 1089 people in the region. Electro World annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £119 million.
Hungary
The first sq ft ( m²) hyperstore opened in Budaörs, Budapest in 2002, prompting incredible customer interest
with long queues on the motorway. During the following four years, a further six stores have opened - one in Pecs, one in
Debrecen and another four in Budapest. The most recent store was opened in May 2006 in Campona shopping mall in Budapest.
Czech Republic
In 2002, the first Electro World store opened in Praha Zlicin. Seven further stores have since
opened. There are now three hyperstores in Prague, three stores in Moravia, one in East Bohemia and one in South Bohemia.
Electro World is very highly regarded and was voted Electrical Retailer of the Year by shoppers in 2004, and has twice
featured in the Czech 100 Best Companies list, in 2004 and 2005.
Poland
The first Electro World store to open in Poland was in October 2005 at the Targowek commercial center in Warsaw. Sales on the
opening day topped one million Euros and the store welcomed more than 15,000 customers. Two stores have since opened, one in
Janki just outside Warsaw city centre, and most recently in Gdansk in May 2006.
Central Europe Distribution Centre
Currently, 85% of Electro World goods pass through the company's Central Europe distribution centre just outside the city of
Brno. The warehouse, completed in a record six months, is square feet ( m²) in size, making it the largest warehouse
facility for non-food goods in the Czech Republic. The centre dispatches 15 lorries daily, and this number doubles during peak
season.
UniEuro
Acquired by the Group in 2001, UniEuro currently operates 110 stores employing a total of 2507 staff (2006), mainly in out of
town locations and concentrated in the north west and north east of Italy.
The stores sell a mixture of high technology consumer electronics, personal computers, domestic appliances, photographic
equipment, communication products and related services. The proposition is focused on competitive prices, customer service and
new technology. Their annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £633 million.
Κωτσοβολος (Kotsovolos)
Kotsovolos is an electrical retailer in Greece. DSG international acquired a 15% stake in the company in April 2000 and became
the majority owner September 2004.
Kotsovolos began as a single store in Athens in 1950. Today it trades from 77 stores and more than 56,000 sq meters of selling
space. It employs nearly 2,000 people and operates the Kotsovolos, Radio Athinae (brown and white goods and computers), and One
Way brands (mobile telephony equipment).Their annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £263 million.
Computing Division
PC World
PC World is a specialist chain of computer superstores. The chain has 150 stores across the UK
and a further 6 in Ireland employing a total of 5872 staff (2006). Their annual sales for year ending April 2006 was £1,369
million.
PC World Business
PC World Business, part of DSG international plc, is a leading specialist provider of IT solutions to business and the public
sector.
The company employs in excess of 2,000 people and supplies products and services to more than one third of all UK businesses
and public sector organisations.
PC World Business offers dedicated business account managers and highly-qualified technical experts to provide, manage and
maintain business IT systems. As an independent reseller, the company boasts an unrivalled range of more than 100,000 products,
all detailed in the industry-respected "Definitive Buyers' Guide".
The company has specialist Business Centres in each of more than 150 PC World stores across the country, offering immediate
access to around 5,000 products. In addition, the company offers access to its whole range – many with next day delivery - from
its web site, by telephone and through a direct fax service.
PC City
PC City exists in continental Europe as an
extension of the group's PC World chain. Beginning with the acquisition of Ei
System in Spain, the company has expanded in the intervening years and now has a presence in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Sweden.
The TechGuys
The TechGuys is a merger of the repair division of the former Mastercare and PC ServiceCall, which provides IT technical
support on PCs and technical repair services on home entertainment for customers of the companied under the DSG international plc
umbrella. The TechGuys is also the name given to the PC World in-store technical and data engineers. The Nottingham-based
TechGuys call centre is presently run by Capita, although this is the only part of the
operation that is not presently run directly by DSGi. The field engineers, workshops etc have not been affected by this change.
Recently, stand-alone stores, offering component and computer sales, in addition to on-site and in-store service options, have
been opened under The TechGuys branding.
The TechGuys Support Site
Genesis
Genesis Communications is the UK's largest independent mobile service provider, operating in the business to business
sector.
Acquired by the Dixons Stores Group in 2002, Genesis Communications has partnerships with the UK's major mobile networks, and
offers a full wireless service, including hardware, customer account management and billing. Genesis is also the UK's leading
supplier of wireless data services to the SME market, including 3G and Blackberry solutions.
The company was formed in 1995 and now has more than 35,000 business customers, 170,000 subscribers and over 500
employees.
Genesis has 12 regional offices across the UK and a state-of-the-art head office in Bury, Lancashire.
DSG Business Services
New Businesses Division
Dixons
The first Dixons photographic studio was located at 32 High Street, Southend. The business was
incorporated as a private company called Dixon Studios Limited and registered on 27 October
1937. When the first studio opened in Southend, the shop front could accommodate a name of no more
than six letters. The solution was found in the telephone directory - "Dixons" was short enough to fit over the door and from
this beginning grew the Dixons Stores Group (now named DSG international plc).
In 2002 a new larger format of store was unveiled in Cardiff. The 'Dixons xL' stores were envisioned to be similar in size to
a Currys Superstore, however only five stores were ever opened - the first being in Swansea,
Wales.
On 5 April 2006, it was decided that all Dixons-branded retail
stores were to be replaced by Currys.digital - an extension of Currys on the high street - with the intention of making the
Dixons brand primarily an e-commerce business, allowing them to react to market changes more quickly. In 2006, Dixons was the
first of the group's companies to extend its price promise to include on-line competitors. The Dixons name still remains as an
online retailer, trading in Ireland (6 stores), and as a tax free airport outlet brand (21 stores) employing a total of 380 staff
(2006). Their annual sales for year ending April 2006 were £680 million
Pixmania
Pixmania is a pan-European e-tailer of digital photographic and consumer electronic goods. It trades in 26 countries through
bespoke transactional websites. It has four million customers and 1,600 employees. In 2006, DSG international plc acquired a
controlling 77% stake in its parent company, Fotovista. In addition to Pixmania.com, the business includes mypixmania.com (a site
specialising in online digital photo processing), primashop.com (childcare equipment) and e-merchant.com (a B2B service site
enabling brands and retailers to run e-commerce businesses across Europe). Unaudited management accounts for the year ended
31st March 2006 show sales of over Euro 450 million.
In March 2007 DSG announced it has identified a "significant fraud operation" at the Parisian warehouse operations of
Pixmania. They are estimated to have lost £8m worth of electronic goods. French police are currently investigating.[1]
Subsidiaries
Coverplan
Coverplan is the extended warranty service available to most DSGi products through the call centre located in the Sheffield
area and is currently run by Capita. This service insures alien products (items bought
outside the DSGi group, though only within 1 year of the products original purchase date)and also issues new policies upon the
necessity repair (known as repair and protect agreements)[4]. New policies can also be purchased for products bought from the Dixons website.
whateverhappens™
whateverhappens is the rebranded successor of Coverplan within the Currys chain. Currys stopped selling Coverplan on
9 February 2005, launching the improved whateverhappens policy
the next day as the replacement of Coverplan.
The product support is offered on most electrical purchases from Currys and now Currys.digital. For most small electrical
items priced between £20 and £130, such as kettles, irons, toasters and printers, customers are offered the option of a three
year cover that covers the product for instant replacement for 3 years which for some products will mean not having to wait for a
faulty item to be repaired. The whateverhappens product support is also offered on more expensive electrical items such as large
flat screen TVs, washing machines and American style fridge-freezers (although American style freezers are only insured when
bought from DSGi). The product support also offers additional benefits to customers such as a guarenteed 2 working day callout
for an engineer and a maximum of 21 days to complete a repair or a replacement if these promises cannot be kept to. Customers are
also covered for accidental damage and no charges if the product is inspected, whether at home or instore, and found to be
working perfectly.
The customer can choose to pay in monthly installments (PAYG), in one bulk payment or ten installments that total the bulk
payment via Direct Debit or Credit Card Mandate.
Fotovista group
The French based FotoVista group was founded as Studio National in 1970 by brothers Pierre and Jean-Claude Rosenblum.
On April 12, 2006, DSG international plc gained a 75% interest
by acquireing LMBO Group's controlling stake in the company and shares from the Rosenblum family and a handful of managers, for
€266 million (approximately £185 million)[1]. Under the deal agreed, DSGi has an option to buy out the remaining 25 per cent from
the family over the following three to five years. The acquisition was subject to approval by the European Union Competition
Authority. After receiving approval the company completed the acquisition of 77% of the Fotovista Group for €261 million
(approximately £184 million).
Omni Source
Omni Source, a new Group company was created to focus on the sourcing of own brand and directly sourced products for the
Group's European retail market.
2006 Omni Source/DSGi announced the use of Tradocs to handle supply chain documents electronically. Tradocs is a global
trading system that enables businesses to trade electronically by quickly exchanging documents, such as purchase orders and
invoices, securely over the Internet. As of January 2007 however, DSGi appears to have abandoned Tradocs for their international
sourcing.
Partmaster Direct
Partmaster offers a large range of accessories and spares for electrical products. Partmaster stocks more than 300,000
products and receives around 750,000 calls a year. Customers have the option to log on to the website directly or visit a store
and order spare parts in-store. Delivery is usually within 4-5 days.
Former business brands and companies
Mastercare Commercial service
Mastercare Commercial Services offered IT services to the commercial IT industry. A call centre provided telephone and email
support, and a team of field based technicians and engineers provided repairs to businesses on desktop PCs and laptops, insurance
inspections for companies like Norwich Union, installed small, medium or large networks (ethernet or wireless) and were also
involved with projects with Flagship (on behalf of the Royal Navy), the Meat Hygiene Service.
In late 2005 the company also began to offer a service to wall-mount slimline plasma and LCD televisions, and provide surveys
for wall mounted or ceiling mounted projectors.
The whole of Mastercare Commercial service was rebranded and merged with The TechGuys in September 2006.
The Link
The Link is a UK mobile phone retailer of which,
before June 2006, DSGi had a 60% stake, the other 40% being owned by O2 plc. The Link had,
at its trading peak, 295 stores throughout the UK (as of January 2006).
In June 2006 DSGi sold the entirety of its stake in The Link to O2. O2, having the controlling stake in The Link, reported in
August 2006 that it would rebrand just under 100 of the stores throughout the UK to O2 stores. The remaining stores would
continue to trade under their current management structure until a new buyer for the stores could be sought.
As of November 2006, the majority of stores not rebranded as O2 stores had been sold to other mobile phone retailers and
networks, such as Orange SA, T-Mobile, and The Carphone Warehouse. A number of stores in areas with little demand for further mobile phone
retailers were either closed or sold to unrelated companies (such as Costa Coffee).
The Dixons group are still honouring all contracts that exist with The Link but are no longer issuing new insurance covers on
mobile phones.
Freeserve
Dixons Stores Group (as they were known at the time) also founded the UK Internet
Service Provider Freeserve, which was later purchased by Wanadoo, now a subsidiary of France Télécom, and rebranded as Wanadoo.
Freeserve was one of the key internet bubble stocks in the UK, and Dixons made large
profits by selling much of its stake close to the top of the market. Wanadoo has since been rebranded again in the UK under the
Orange brand.
WHSU International Inc. (MicroWarehouse)
WHSU Inc. and WHSU International Inc. (together known as MicroWarehouse) filed Bankruptcy[5]
on 9 October 2003, which ultimately lead to it being acquired by
DSGi on 4 June 2004.
When MicroWarehouse was acquired by the Group, it became a division of PC World
Business[6].
MicroWarehouse is one of the UK's largest and longest established direct resellers of branded IT products and services to
business. MicroWarehouse owns and operates the domain names Inmac.co.uk, MacWarehouse.co.uk and MicroWarehouse.co.uk. All three
are online computer hardware and software retailers.
Own brand products
Matsui Matsui is the brand name of a line of electrical items introduced in
the 1980s.
Advent
Advent started out in 1982 under the name Saisho, and was later rebranded as Advent.
Ei System
Logik
PC Line
Swordfish
Carlton
Miranda
Patriot
Freetalk
Saisho
Corporate affairs
Corporate structure
President
Life President
Lord Kalms of Edgware (since 2002)
The Board
Sir John Collins, Chairman
Kevin O'Byrne, Group Finance Director
Count Emmanuel d'André, Non-Executive Director
Rita Clifton, Non-Executive Director
Andrew Lynch, Non-Executive Director
John Whybrow, Non-Executive Director
Senior Management
Ben Bengougam - Group Human Resources Director
Per Bjørgås - Group Managing Director - UK and International Electricals Division
Ronny Blomseth - Managing Director Elkjøp
Kai Boschmann - Group Director of Corporate Affairs
Geoffrey Budd - Company Secretary
Steve Campbell - European Managing Director, PC City
Corrado Colli - Managing Director, Business Development, Spain
Keith Jones - Managing Director - PC World Stores Group
Peter Keenan - Managing Director UK & Ireland Electricals
David Lloyd-Seed - Group Director of Investor Relations
Jerry Roest - Managing Director DSGi Business
Mark Rollmann - Managing Director UniEuro
Declan Ronayne - General Manager DSG Ireland Ltd
Steve Rosenblum - Divisional Director, e-commerce Division
Milan Ruzicka - Managing Director CE, Electro World
John Thorp - Group Chief Information Officer
Simon Turner - Group Buying Director
Nick Wood - Managing Director - Group Communications Division
Fernando de Vicente - Managing Director Kotsovolos
Financial results
DSG International plc financial results
| Fiscal Year |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
| Fiscal Year End Date |
28/04/07 |
29/04/06 |
30/04/05 |
01/05/04 |
03/05/03 |
27/04/02 |
28/04/01 |
29/04/00 |
01/05/99 |
02/05/98 |
| Turnover £ 000,000 |
7,929.7 |
7,072.0 |
6,982 |
6,491 |
5,750.5 |
4,888.2 |
4,688.2 |
3,889.9 |
3,156.3 |
2,791.9 |
| Profit before tax £ 000,000 |
295.1 |
302.9 |
336.8 |
366.2 |
278.6 |
282.3 |
647.1 * |
472.1 * |
231.3 |
213.3 |
| Profit for the period £ 000,000 |
2.4 |
211.7 |
243.1 |
289.4 |
207.8 |
211.2 |
602.6 |
413.7 |
186.2 |
166.4 |
| Basic eps (p) |
10.9 |
11.7 |
12.6 |
14.4 |
10.7 |
11.0 |
31.5 |
22.5 |
41.1+ |
36.9+ |
*The above trend profits for 2000 and 2001 were primarily attributable
to profits on disposal of Freeserve shares. +Pre stock split.
Annual Reports
See also
External links
Footnotes
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