Digital sales focus for Jessops

Demand for digital cameras continues at a steady pace

Camera and photographic goods retailer Jessops has reported a steady increase in sales, fuelled by buoyant demand for digital cameras.

Like-for-like sales - which strip out new store openings - in the 25 weeks to 26 March were up by 2.6% on a year ago, the company reported.

Profit margins were improved by exclusive merchandising deals together with developing and printing, it said.

However, Jessops warned that conditions remained tough on the High Street.

New boss

Digital camera sales remained strong, it said, as consumers were eager to replace their old digital cameras with state-of-the-art cameras.

Demand was also fuelled by an advertising campaign showing the merits of new cameras with better features such as bigger screens, better lenses and longer battery life.

Sales of high-performance SLR cameras were up 52%, while sales growth for digital cameras overall was 15%.

Jessops said it expected its interim results to be in line with expectations.

Meanwhile, the company is preparing to welcome a new chief executive, Chris Langley, who will succeed Derek Hine when he retires on 17 May.

Mr Hine has been at the helm for eight years and steered the company towards its flotation in 2004.