Prospective Comet web brand buyer DRL sees sales up 28%
Published: 4 January 2013
White goods retailer DRL, owner of the Appliances Online website, has seen sales soar 28% to £207.3m during its last financial year, and has recently emerged as a bidder for Comet's online brand.
Overall the company's investment in new staff and infrastructure saw it make a profit loss of £2.2m. This investment is expected to pay off, however, in the year to the end of March 2013 where DRL is predicting significant financial improvement.
The relocation of the group's central distribution resource from Radcliffe in Greater Manchester to a purpose-built site in Crewe set DRL back £2.7m, and other investments included upgrades to the group's fleet and the set up of a call centre in Manchester.
Founder and chief executive John Roberts said: "The year to the end of March was one of unprecedented investment that has positioned the group fantastically well to benefit from the changing dynamic in the market.
"Since the year end, the migration to the internet has increased and Comet has exited the market, creating a huge opportunity that we are now benefiting from."
The company was recently named as fifth best company to work for in the UK by the Sunday Times.