Dick Smith to have 450 stores by 2017

Dick Smith says Australian retail is starting a sunny period, as seven years of deflation in consumer electronics is replaced by price rises.

Price increases to reflect higher import prices will start to flow through now, said Dick Smith managing director and chief executive, Nick Abboud.

The company aims to have 400 stores open in Australia and New Zealand by the end of June, and 450 stores by 2017. It is also focused on increasing private-label and online sales, and ramming home that its prices are competitive.