Camera specialist Jessops like-for-likes grew 3% over Christmas as “choice and service” helped grow sales.
Total sales were up 2.2% in the six weeks to January 9.
In the fourth quarter overall, like-for-likes were stronger, growing 5.3%, while total sales jumped 4.4%. The retailer said that sales for the full calendar year were “in line with this performance”. It added that gross margin for the year was in line with the previous year.
Online sales in the year rocketed 94%.
Jessops said the rollout of its Black store format continued in the year, with 25 refurbs conducted, all of which delivered a sales uplift of more than 20% compared with the older format stores.
The retailer concluded a life-saving debt-for-equity swap in 2009, which resulted in bank HSBC holding a 47% stake. It also delisted from the Stock Exchange last year.
Jessops chief executive Trevor Moore said: “Since the business was restructured in September 2009, the new management team has worked hard to deliver a strong performance based on choice and service, tailored to our customer base.
“We maintained leading market shares in DSLR and lens product categories over the period, while our new store format has widened the appeal of our offer. We are planning for a further 85 stores to be upgraded in 2011, including 10 new openings.
“Whilst we anticipate tough market conditions to remain in 2011, we are confident that our proposition will continue to appeal to our growing customer base.”
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