DSGi launches The TechGuys, making IT simple

• DSGi launches a digital customer support service for the 21st century home
• Potential £50 million, 5 year investment programme, 2,000 new jobs

DSG international plc (DSGi), Europe’s leading electrical retailer, today launches a new national customer support service, “The TechGuys”, to provide expert, fast-track support for increasingly technology-dependent UK homes.  The service is a response to the growing reliance on life-enhancing technologies in homes nationwide.

DSGi’s latest brainchild, a new venture, puts the expertise of 3,000 experienced advisors at the immediate disposal of customers throughout the UK.  The service is supported by state of the art call centres, one of Europe’s largest technical databases, a spare parts vault of 2 million components and specialist repair centres to provide homes and small businesses with fast, reliable support on installing, connecting, protecting, upgrading and fixing people’s home IT and audio visual technology. The TechGuys will also provide training to customers on how to use the equipment and how to get the most out of it.

From today the service is capable of 16,000 home visits per week and national technical support centres will offer expert diagnosis and problem solving 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service, which aims to provide hassle-free support for customers in the digital age, is offered to all customers, regardless of whom they bought their technology from.

The service is offered initially in the UK, with plans for a European roll-out in due course.

Research* commissioned by DSGi confirms that:

• Eight in 10 UK adults (79%) routinely need help with everyday technology tasks, yet 43% have had to wait more than a week for essential technical support from local suppliers
• More than two thirds (67%) have thrown away electricals in frustration without any attempt to repair them
• Nine in ten (91%) say that technology plays an important role in everyday life

John Clare, Group Chief Executive of DSG international, said:  “As the UK gears up for one of the most important technological transitions in 100 years, for which the majority of consumers are not prepared, we’re creating a national support operation to help customers navigate their way around the digital universe. The forthcoming national digital switchover programme, combined with the rapid development of digital technology, will have a huge effect on every home in the UK and create an unparalleled level of demand for expert technical advice.”

He added: “Technology is the circuitry of modern day life and has become as important a utility as water, electricity and gas.  Domestic technical support rapidly will become as commonplace, if not more so, as visits from plumbers and electricians, which is why we are transforming our customer service proposition. And we’re offering this service to everyone, regardless of where they’ve bought their technology.”

DSG international estimates that the market for digital support services is worth £1billion in the UK alone.  With customers’ increasing reliance on technology throughout the day, DSGi predicts that this market could double in size within 5 years.

Industry statistics reveal that:

• There are 70 million computer crashes every day, many of which are due to operator error
• The average Briton spends nearly three hours per day online (or 45 days per year)
• Nearly two thirds of technology owners need guidance on how to use their technology

Today’s launch represents the beginning of a pan-European programme to develop The TechGuys into Europe’s largest and most responsive technical support service. Over the next five years and dependant on suitable returns, DSGi expects to invest £50 million behind The TechGuys. The aim is to open 200 standalone service locations in the UK and service points at 150 PC World’s, as well as a number of concessions, creating potentially 2,000 new jobs.

* Research carried out by YouGov amongst a representative sample of 2200 adults between 11th and 14th August 2006.

For further information:

Hamish Thompson, Director of Media Relations 01727 203195/ 07702 684290  
 
David Lloyd-Seed, Group Director of Investor Relations  01727 205065