Amazon Echo sales boost Carphone

MORE than 200 voice-controlled home speakers such as Google Home and Amazon Echo were snapped up by shoppers every hour at Dixons Carphone over Christmas.

The mobile phone and electricals retailer said sales of the devices surged by 350pc compared to a year earlier as consumers look for the convenience and control that comes with voicecontrolled assistants.

‘If you don’t have one, you should immediately get one. They are great,’ Dixons Carphone chief executive Seb James said.

The group’s overall sales increased by 6pc in the 10 weeks to January 6, but it was the Nordic stores and the Greek businesses that led growth, rising by 11pc and 23pc respectively. UK and Ireland sales were up just 3pc in comparison.

But analysts said Dixon Carphone’s woes were not over yet as it trimmed full-year profit guidance from £400m to £385m.