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.

i'm in was tipped in shares mag as good one to have for 2005 seems
to be getting going also trading stmnt due ?

I worked with them for many years in a supply side role. I did like the company. Only anecdotal and not an indication of value but I've found that companies I respect have a tendancy to do better over the long term than those I don't.

alright lads, i decided to buy in today i'd been pondering it for a while, i think jessops should advertise they're website a bit more it's pretty good seeing as though online sales are all the rage.

not sure why it fell today stmnt looks as expected ?


RNS Number:3690H Jessops plc 14 January 2005

14 January 2005



CHRISTMAS TRADING STATEMENT

Jessops plc, the UK's number one specialist photographic retailer, today announces its sales for the 5 and 13 weeks to 2 January 2005, together with additional information on trading in the first 8 weeks of the current financial year.


5 weeks to 13 weeks to 8 weeks to
2 Jan 05 2 Jan 05 28 Nov 04
% increase % increase % increase
Total sales + 10.4% + 9.4% + 8.5%
Store like for like sales + 4.5% + 5.3% + 6.0%*
Direct like for like sales + 46.2% + 26.7% + 14.2%
Total like for like sales + 6.2% + 6.4% + 6.6%
* previously announced on 8 December 2004


Despite generally tough trading conditions on the High Street throughout the Christmas trading period, Jessops' sales held up well and showed particularly strong demand for digital cameras. Total sales increased 10.4% over the 5 week period to 2 January 2005 and total like for like sales were up 6.2%. Sales of digital cameras through all channels increased by 25.7%.

Within the total like for like figure, store like for like sales increased 4.5% in the period. This partly reflects the strong demand for digital cameras and for digital developing & processing (D&P), but is offset by lower analogue processing bringing total D&P sales down 4.1%. This change in sales mix has inevitably had a short-term impact on gross margins over the period but this is not expected to affect the results for the year as a whole. Historically D&P sales have their trading peak over the Summer months (August & September) rather than over Christmas.

Jessops operates a complementary multi-channel retail strategy, which in addition to sales through the stores, includes direct sales through mail order, telesales and the internet. Direct sales showed strong seasonal growth in the 5 weeks to 2 January 2005 and were up 46.2% on a like for like basis. Over the 13 weeks to 2 January 2005, like for like direct sales were up 26.7%. Direct sales accounted for 5% of total sales in the year to 30 September 2004.

The company's store expansion programme has continued on track, with nine new stores opened since the start of the current financial year, bringing the total number of stores at 2 January 2005 to 271.

Derek Hine, Chief Executive, said:

"Despite a generally tough retail environment, our trading over Christmas held up well against some very strong growth comparators both last year and in 2003. While it remains early days, trading in the first three months has maintained the momentum of 2004, with continued evidence of the strong demand for digital products. We are committed to driving the business hard and believe that we can deliver a good outcome for the year as a whole."

For further information please contact:


Jessops plc 020 7357 9477 (AM on 14/01/05)
Derek Hine, Chief Executive 0116 232 6000 (Thereafter)


John Crabtree, Finance Director


Hogarth Partnership 020 7357 9477


James Longfield/Rachel Hirst/Vanessa Orr

Notes to Editors:

Jessops is the UK's number one specialist photographic retailer with 271 stores nationally. It also operates via the internet, through mail order and telesales and its business to business and wholesale operations.

Jessops sells a comprehensive range of digital and analogue cameras, digital and analogue camcorders, binoculars, darkroom and studio equipment, film and photo imaging materials, as well as an extensive range of accessories for the photo imaging market including "Jessops" own brand products. Jessops provides developing and printing and digital imaging services in-store, via the internet and by mail order.

The company differentiates itself from its competitors through the combination of its national store portfolio, its broad product range, its customer service ethos and the in-depth product knowledge of its staff.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Recent IPO Jessops unveiled a great set of Christmas trading numbers and investors took profits - sending the share price down 6.25p to 157.5p. The group said that, despite generally tough trading conditions on the high street throughout the Christmas trading period, sales held up well and showed particularly strong demand for digital cameras. Total sales increased 10.4% over the 5 weeks to January 2nd and total like for like sales were up 6.2%. Sales of digital cameras through all channels increased by 25.7%, it added. Seymour Pierce was upbeat on the numbers but moved its stance on the shares to an "outperform" from "buy" after the shares current strong run. The broker said it now sees the upside limited to 10%.

Since the positive trading statement, the shares haven't performed too well.

seem to be going back in the right direction again can see 170p level tested this week ?

AGM on the 15th Feb.

Reaching new highs after reassuring comments at the AGM.

does anyone know why there was a 8.75% drop today?

Jessops plc
21 March 2005



21 March 2005





JESSOPS PLC

Trading Update


Having benefited from the positive momentum in the digital camera market during
the first three months of the current financial year and throughout the
Christmas trading period, Jessops has experienced difficult trading conditions
in February and March. The general slow-down in consumer spending has
particularly affected sales of digital cameras. Although in this period Jessops
has been successful in maintaining its share of the digital camera market, sales
have been considerably below management's expectations. Moreover, there has been
a secondary effect on margins as retailers have sought to drive up volumes
through price reductions.

As a consequence, the Board anticipates that store like-for-like sales growth in
the first half of the year ending 27 March 2005 will now be around +1%. The
similar slowdown in non like-for-like stores and other sales channels will
result in total sales growth of around +4.4% in the first half.

Like-for-like growth rates in the second half of the year are expected to
improve from this first half level as a result of new product launches and
increased penetration of digital SLRs. However, in this more challenging
trading environment, the Board believes it is prudent to revise its sales growth
and margin expectations for the second half. Therefore the outcome for the year
as a whole is likely to be significantly below its previous expectations and
below last year.

There will be an analysts' conference call at 8:15 am today, 21 March 2005.
Please contact Hogarth Partnership for details.

ENDS

Whats up with this,no film in the camera these days .

what a disaster! the thing is that is shop and develop films at JSP and have always been very impressed at the knowledge of the staff and the pleasant atmopsphere of no pressure selling.

i am shocked by the drop today and would probably place alot of the responsability on management...overextended network? underfunded? too ambitious?

anyway...the future now looks bleak

Staff are different now - doing a dixons - minimum wage - fewer skills

ok, just not ay my local one then. if that is the case then they have no chance...thx for that

Classic example of venture capital firm squeezing the last drop of 'efficiency' out of the system before floating - and only just got away with it by reducing the price at the last minute.

and shareholders are left holding the bag...

and Shares Magazine has egg on its face as this was one of their top tips for the year !

says it all...

The whole retail sector is under pressure not just Jessops ,people are being careful with their money.I found the staff in my local branch very helpful and well educated about products.
db66