Electricals retailer AO World has seen annual losses widen to £18.9 million amid tough trading in the UK and woes in its European arm.

The result compares with a £13.5m pre-tax loss the previous year.

AO World said UK revenues rose 5.7 per cent on a like-for-like basis "against a backdrop of ongoing weak consumer confidence in a continuingly competitive market, particularly in the UK".

It bemoaned a "disappointing" performance in Europe, where it recently overhauled the management team.

Underlying earnings in the UK lifted by 20.9% to £27.4m, boosted by its recent acquisition of Mobile Phones Direct, or by 14.3% with this stripped out.

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Its European division saw underlying losses widen to £27.8 million, against £26 million the previous year, due to driver issues in Germany, as well as higher but less profitable sales.

In the UK, the company said it saw double-digit growth in all categories except major domestic appliances, which was hit by a declining wider market and a "more limited than expected" response to its TV marketing campaign.

The group said underlying profits in the UK had also been bolstered by a recent decision to cut advertising and marketing spend.

AO World founder and chief executive John Roberts said: "The UK result was achieved against an ongoing tough trading environment and includes three months' contribution from Mobile Phones Direct which we acquired in December 2018 and its integration continues to go to plan.

"Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) losses in Europe have increased slightly against the prior year, with progress hampered somewhat by driver challenges in Germany and a lack of real improvement in product margin and customer acquisition costs."

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He added: "Overall, the AO team deserve praise for their efforts in FY19 but we can do better and I'm pleased with the progress that we are now making in the first few months of this financial year."

Online gambling firm 888 has said UK first quarter revenues jumped 18% on a like-for-like basis in an "encouraging" start to the year.

The group said UK sales were boosted by recreational customers.

Overall group like-for-like revenues lifted 6% between January 1 and May 18 thanks to more marketing spend and its new Orbit Casino platform, which have helped boost new customer numbers by 26%.

Itai Pazner, chief executive of 888, said: "888 has enjoyed a solid start to the year with strong momentum in casino and sport across a number of the group's major regulated markets.

"Whilst poker has remained challenging, we were pleased to see an improving revenue trend in the first quarter of 2019 against the fourth quarter of 2018."

Royal Dutch Shell is set to hand out $125 billion (£99bn) in dividend payments to shareholders over four years, the company said.

Chiefs updated the City on its future financial plans, committing to the payments for between 2021 and 2025.

Shell also revealed it has cashed in $30bn (£23.6bn) from selling non-core businesses, and is expected to complete a 25 billion dollar share buyback by the end of next year.

Chief executive Ben van Beurden said: "We have reshaped our company with a focus on value and have demonstrated a clear track record of delivering on our ambitious promises made at our Management Day in November 2017."