Poor weather hits Expansys

MANCHESTER-based smartphones etailer Expansys said that the adverse weather conditions in the run up to the busy Christmas trading period impacted on orders in the UK and European markets.

It said that weather conditions in the UK in early December “dented consumer confidence in deliveries from online retailers”, leading to a material drop in orders in its most import ant month. It also said that although sales in Europe were 12% ahead of last year, they were still below expectations.

Despite this, the firm argued that it had made good ground in the US, where sales were up 48% on the previous year. In Asia sales increased by 195%, largely due to its developing business in Japan.

Anthony Catterson, chief executive, said: “Whilst retail sales are ahead of last year, Expansys has not been immune to the impact of recent weather on customers’ confidence in Christmas deliveries from online retailers and the ensuing intense competition in our most important trading period.

“We believe strongly in the growth prospects for the business, however it is disappointing that recent difficult trading conditions are likely to contribute towards a significantly reduced profit expectation.”