Gome Electrical Appliances Holding's jumped 2.3% in Hong Kong despite the electronics retailer announcing that it had swung to a net loss in 2012.

WSJ: Europe Concerns Weigh on Asian Shares

But retail annual like-for-like sales fell 3.2% with weakness in the electrical and computing sector.

BBC: Woolworths sees challenges ahead

Demand for electrical goods at Christmas spurred trading at Comet where like-for-like sales were up 6.2%, helped by strong television sales.

BBC: Stores reveal festive boom