Currys and PC World owner Dixons Retail boosted by Apple iPads Mr James said the consumer electronics market in the UK is likely to fall by about 3pc to 4pc in the rest of the year. However, he said that Dixons should "buck the trend" and forecast a boost in sales from the Olympics and Euro 2012 football tournament as customers buy new televisions to watch the sporting events. Dixons, which controls more than 500 stores in the UK, has benefited from the uncertainty at rival Comet, which has been taken over by OpCapita, and the decision of US rival Best Buy to quit the UK after disappointing sales. Mr James, who took over earlier this year when John Browett left to join Apple, said Best Buy's exit has had a "really good impact on morale" in the company. Philip Dorgan, retail analyst at Panmure Gordon, said: "Dixons has genuinely improved its offer, its stores and its operations during the consumer recession. Looking ahead, there are some other positive signs. Global sales for Dixons rose 5pc on a like-for-like basis in the 16 weeks to April 28, with the UK growth offset by a 5pc decline in sales in the troubled economies of southern Europe. For the year as a whole, like-for-like sales slid 3pc. However, Dixons said it expects underlying pre-tax profits to be between £65m and £70m, which is at top end of analyst expectations. Shares in the company rose 0.09 to 17.59p.