PC World posts £30m loss

PC World is the latest company to feel the effect of the global economic downturn.

DSG International, which owns Currys and PC World, has reported a half-year loss of nearly £30m, blaming a "tough and volatile" trading environment.

DSG said that the outlook for Christmas and 2009 was uncertain. Computer sales are holding up well the company said, but sales of other electrical goods have been weak.

This ties in with the latest web data which shows that searches for second-hand and free goods are on the increase.

According to web-metrics firm Hitwise, searches in the UK for second-hand goods have increased by 22 per cent since September 2007. Visits to classified sites selling second-hand goods increased by 47 per cent for the same period.

One of the most popular websites has been the Freecycle network. On Freecycle people are encouraged to share unwanted goods by passing them on to others via the website.

"The site is currently most popular in Wales and the West Midlands and is used most by people with families," the Hitwise report stated.

Travel websites have also been affected in the current climate. Traffic to travel websites dropped by nearly five per cent in the last 14 months, but not all sectors have been affected.

Budget Travel websites like Ryanair and EasyJet and budget accommodation providers like Travelodge all experienced increased traffic.

www.hitwise.com
www.freecycle.org
www.pcworld.co.uk



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