After a disappointing start to its float, things are starting to pick up. Since the release of results in December, the shares have steadily increased from 147p to 161p.

The group has a strong and fast growing market share and should perform well.

Have to agree with cynic's view. Retailing is in the doldrums and is likely to get worse. You cannot eat cameras and Jessops will find it more difficult with the background of falling discretionary expenditure. This is not one I would pick from a contrarian or recovery viewpoint.

i wouldn't pick my nose with it!

Odds on that this one will go bust.

small caps movers update

Photographic retailer Jessops added 1.05 to 8.15. Last year the company issued three profit warnings, but this morning it said it has returned to underlying sales growth over the Christmas period.

Earlier on this morning update of CHRISTMAS TRADING STATEMENT ........

Jessops returns to underlying sales growth

LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Jessops PLC, the troubled photographic retailer
that issued three profit warnings last year, said it returned to underlying
sales growth over the Christmas period.
For the seven weeks to Jan 6 2008 sales on a like-for-like basis, which
strips out the impact of new and closed space, increased 0.3 pct.
Total sales were 20.6 pct lower, primarily due to the previously announced
closure of 81 stores.
For the 14 weeks to Jan 6 like-for-like sales fell 4.7 pct, while total
sales were down 24.4 pct.
Product margin rate for the 14 weeks was ahead of last year by 0.2
percentage points.
Jessops, which now trades from 233 UK stores, claimed it reinforced its
position as the nation's leading digital camera specialist with sales of DSLR
(digital single-lens reflex) particularly strong, reflecting both new product
launches and improved product availability.
The retailer said its stock clearance programme was completed in October.
Since then the group has managed stock levels and product sell throughs tightly.
Stocks as of Jan 6 were 34.0 mln stg, down from 62 mln stg at the same point
last year.
"We were prepared for a tough Christmas trading environment and managed the
business accordingly," said executive chairman David Adams, who joined the
business last May.
"Much work remains to be done to return the business to sustainable
profitability and this performance over the key Christmas period is an
encouraging step."