A surge in demand for digital cameras over the Christmas period today helped retailer Jessops unveil its best ever performance for the Christmas period.
The photographic specialist saw overall sales increase 13.9% in the five weeks to 4 January with the like-for-like figure ahead 8.3%.
Sales peaked in the week starting 15 December as Jessops benefited from the record 3.5m digital cameras sold in the UK during 2003.
Chief executive Derek Hine was delighted with the performance and said he was confident that the trend would continue.
He added: “We believe digital photography products and printing will remain one of the fastest growth areas during 2004, with Jessops excellently placed to capitalise on this growing market place.”
In anticipation of the growing mass market appeal of digital cameras, Jessops launched its largest ever Christmas marketing drive, including its first national television advertising campaign.
The company currently has 255 stores in the UK, a figure that has more than trebled since management staged a buy-out in 1996. Jessops is presently owned by ABN AMRO Capital following a £116m takeover in October 2002.
References: EGi News 19/01/04
