Currys forecasts fall in sales as UK shoppers delay big-item purchases

Prediction comes despite consumers using more credit to offset cost of living crisis

Currys expects sales to continue to fall this year as households delay replacing TVs and laptops despite using credit to buy more energy-efficient appliances such as better washing machines, microwaves and air fryers in at attempt to save money over the longer term.

The electricals retailer said it would not pay an end-of-year dividend to shareholders, was cutting payments to its pension fund, and reducing investment after it dropped £450m into the red in the year to 29 April after sales fell by 6%, including an 8% drop in the UK.