THE owner of PC World and Currys offered some cheer from the embattled sector today as it posted a 15% hike in UK & Ireland profits after a rebound in sales.

Dixons Retail Group, which has outperformed struggling rivals such as Comet and Argos in recent months, said underlying operating profits across UK & Ireland rose to £78.8m in the year to April 28.

It confirmed that the division’s sales turnaround in the final quarter - up 8% amid a full year decline of 4% - had continued into the new financial year.

The robust UK & Ireland performance helped limit the impact of the eurozone crisis on its southern European arm, with wider group underlying pre-tax profits down 17% to £70.8m.

But Dixons signalled more store closures that will reduce the current 557-strong estate in the UK to between 400 and 420 outlets, compared with expectations last year for 450 stores.