The group, which owns UK chain Comet, said total sales in the three months to April 30 were up 7.4% - boosted by a 4.4% rise in UK sales.

French sales, which include those at market leader store Darty, were up 4.3% on the same period last year.

However, like-for-like sales at its BUT stores in France dipped 3%.

Turnover at the firm, which demerged from home improvements retailer Kingfisher last year, rose 5.2% during the three month period to �825.2m - lifted by multimedia sales, the group said.

Chief executive Jean-Noel Labroue said: "Taken as a whole, the group has performed in line with our expectations."

In March, the firm unveiled a pre-tax profit of �202.1m ($367.3m) for the year to 31 January.