Fnac Darty reported a 1.6% year-on-year increase in third-quarter sales for 2025, reaching €2.5 billion on a like-for-like basis—assuming Unieuro had already been part of the group in Q3 2024. The actual impact of Unieuro’s integration was far more dramatic, driving a 34.6% surge in total sales.
📈 Regional Highlights:
– France led the charge with a 1.7% uptick, reinforcing its role as the group’s growth engine.
– Rest of Europe saw more modest gains at 1.3%, reflecting mixed market dynamics.
– Spain emerged as a standout performer, posting a 3.9% increase in Q3 and a robust 6.2% rise over the first nine months.
📉 Italy’s Drag:
Despite Unieuro’s contribution to overall growth, Italy was the only market to contract, with turnover dipping 0.6% year-to-date. This suggests localized challenges that may require strategic recalibration.
Fnac Darty’s performance underscores the strategic value of its Unieuro acquisition while highlighting the need for targeted efforts in underperforming regions.
Category Archives: Retail suppliers
IFA Berlin Secures Its Future
The world’s premier showcase for home appliances and consumer electronics, IFA Berlin, is set to remain a cornerstone of the city’s event landscape for years to come. Organizers, including IFA Management GmbH, GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, Clarion Events Ltd, and Messe Berlin GmbH, alongside Berlin’s Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Mayor and Senator for Economics, Energy, and Public Enterprises Franziska Giffey, announced during IFA 2025 that the event’s contract has been extended ahead of schedule, securing its place in Berlin until at least 2034.
IFA CEO Leif Lindner expressed enthusiasm about the decision, stating, “Berlin offers a robust trade fair infrastructure, a vibrant environment, and the allure of a global metropolis. We are thrilled with the confidence shown in us and are confident that IFA Berlin will continue to thrive as a success story.”
This extension underscores Berlin’s position as a hub for innovation and industry, ensuring that IFA will keep drawing global exhibitors and visitors to the city for the next decade. With its dynamic setting and world-class facilities, Berlin remains the perfect stage for IFA’s cutting-edge showcases and industry-defining moments.
Waterline Seeks Investment to Fuel Growth Amid Economic Headwinds
Waterline, the UK’s leading supplier of kitchen furniture and appliances to independent retailers, has announced plans to seek external investment to support its future growth.
Over the past year, Waterline has launched several strategic expansions:
– Entered the contracts and electrical retail markets
– Developed proprietary OEM product ranges
– Onboarded industry specialists to drive innovation
These efforts mark a shift toward building a more resilient, forward-looking business. Updates to follow as the investment process unfolds.
Kitchen Things and Applico Enter Voluntary Administration
New Zealand’s premium appliance retailer Kitchen Things, a member of the Narta buying group, has entered voluntary administration alongside its distribution arm Applico. Applico is the exclusive supplier of high-end European brands Smeg and ASKO in the region.
The move marks a significant shift in the local appliance market, raising questions about the future of these luxury brands in New Zealand and the broader implications for retail and distribution network
JD.com Makes Landmark €2.2 Billion Acquisition of Europe’s Electronics Giant CECONOMY
In a bold move to expand its global footprint, JD.com has announced its largest international acquisition to date—a €2.2 billion deal to acquire Germany-based CECONOMY AG, the powerhouse behind Europe’s top consumer electronics chains, MediaMarkt and Saturn.
CECONOMY operates over 1,000 stores across 12 European countries and reported €22.4 billion in annual sales for 2024, making it a dominant force in the region’s retail landscape. This strategic takeover marks a pivotal moment for JD.com, positioning the Chinese e-commerce titan to integrate its advanced supply chain and logistics capabilities with CECONOMY’s vast brick-and-mortar network.
The acquisition not only signals JD.com’s intent to challenge global rivals like Amazon and Alibaba, but also underscores its commitment to blending online efficiency with offline reach—reshaping the future of retail across continents.
Currys Surges Ahead with 37% Profit Boost
Currys has delivered a standout performance, raising its annual profit by 37% to £162 million for the year ending 3 May 2025—beating market expectations on the back of robust UK sales and a surge in demand for tech services and credit options.
💹 Key Financial Highlights:
– Group revenue climbed 3% year-on-year, reaching £8.7 billion.
– UK and Ireland like-for-like sales jumped 4%, reflecting solid consumer engagement.
– Recurring service revenue rose 12%, while credit sales soared 14% to hit £1.1 billion.
– Mobile subsidiary **iD Mobile** welcomed 450,000 new customers, lifting its subscriber base by 26% to 2.2 million.
– **Statutory pre-tax profit** saw a dramatic rise to £124 million, up from just £28 million a year earlier.
🚀 CEO Alex Baldock praised the company’s trajectory, stating: _“Currys’ performance continues to strengthen and the business has real momentum
ASKO Experience Centre in Poland,
ASKO proudly unveils its first Experience Centre in Poland, located in the vibrant Warsaw Wola district at 6 Kasprzaka Street..lIt showcases the brand’s wide range of innovative home appliances, and it is complemented by a curated selection of furniture by swallows tail furniture and @ceramika paradyz, giving the interior a unique character.
AO profit surge
AO World has hailed a record performance after its profits surged nearly 30% driven by cost-saving initiatives and strong growth of its membership scheme.
Adjusted pre-tax profits for the electricals specialist rose 27% to £44m for the year to 31 March, coming in at the top end of its £39m to £44m guidance.
This was driven by a 9% increase in group sales to £1.13bn and several cost-saving efficiencies, including the introduction of a new third-party warehousing solution in its distribution centre.
AO benefited from returning customers, which accounted for over 60% of orders during the year. It expects this trend to improve over time.
Italy’s Appliance Market Heats Up
At the APPLiA Italia Assembly, GfK unveiled fresh insights into Italy’s large household appliance market, and the numbers tell an interesting story. In the first quarter, the market saw a 2.4% rise in value and a notable 3.8% surge in volume—a clear sign that average prices are edging downward.
Currys staff cut
Currys plans to cut around 80 head office jobs to reduce costs, aiming for a 10% cut in its central cost base this year. This comes as the retailer faces a £30 million increase in its tax bill due to changes in National Insurance and Minimum Wage
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