Dick Smith wants 450 stores across Australia adn NEw Zealand by 2017 and a greater online presence.

Dick Smith plans to open 20 new stores each year and for its online business to generate 10 percent of its sales.

It also wants its private label to supply 15 percent of its sales by 2017 financial year,company chairman PHil Cave
told shaerholders at its annual general meeting on Wednesday.

Sales in the first 15 weeks of 2014-15 were up 10.1 percent with like-for-like sales up 1.7 percent .chief executive Nick
Abboud said.

Sales growth for the first  half of 2015 should be in the single-digit to low double-digit rang,subject to market conditions.

"If you look at the last half or last quarter we've been growing at roughly double digit growth,"Mr Abboud  said.

"we see that momentum continuting.“

The company also plans to introduce new products in its audio, accessories,TV and office ranges.

Mr Abboud said a key factor that would separate Dick Smith from its rivals would be its private brand.

" It does protect our gross margin as a organisation year on year." he said

The company currently has 381 stores, including 286 Dick Smith,29 Electrics Powered by David Jones adn five
move stores in Australia.

Move stores, first opened a year ago,feature up-market electronics and fitness technology targeted at young affluent customers.

Also launched 12 months ago,was Dick Smith's partnership with David Jones

Dick Smith also plans to lanuch $50 million of sales in a duty free format late next February.

Mr Abboud said another big revenue generator for the company was its partnership with Vodafone.

" We see this as a building block opportunity,not only for sales but for profit as we partner with Vodafone for our 450
stores by 2017." he said.

Most Dick Smith stores now offer Vodafone postpaid products and services.

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