Carphone Warehouse has said there is "substantial opportunity" for its Best Buy UK stores within the consumer electrics market after reporting a sales rise for Best Buy Europe in its third financial quarter.
Best Buy Europe, the company's joint venture with US electricals giant Best Buy, saw sales increase by 3.7% to £1,033m for the 13 weeks to January 1, 2011, rising 0.7% on a like-for-like basis.

The joint venture includes CPW Europe, predominantly trading under the Carphone Warehouse and Phone House brands, Best Buy's mobile phone retailing operations in the US and Best Buy UK, which currently operates from six 'Big Box' stores across the country.

Best Buy UK also launched its online offering before Christmas, which has seen a strong performance to date, according to the company. Home appliances did particularly well, with a high number of visitors visiting the interactive site to get information before buying. The online range is set to expand throughout the coming year.

Carphone Warehouse ceo Roger Taylor said: "The online launch at Best Buy UK has gone well, adding to the strong customer satisfaction with our 'Big Box' stores, where our planned roll-out continues."

Carphone Warehouse will publish its Q4 trading update on May 5, 2011.