Key facts
- AO World has acquired camera retailer Jessops from Peter Jones.
- The acquisition is funded by AO World's existing cash resources.
- Jessops' recommerce business, Camera Jungle, complements AO's musicMagpie operations.
- Jessops reported a 6.5% rise in revenues to £19.8m last year.
- Jessops posted a pre-tax loss of £1m last year, down from £1.17m in 2024.
AO World has acquired the camera retailer Jessops from entrepreneur Peter Jones, who had rescued the chain from administration over a decade ago. The deal, funded from existing cash resources, is part of AO World's strategy to expand into adjacent product categories and increase its share of customer spending. Jessops brings specialist expertise in cameras and optical equipment, while its recommerce arm, Camera Jungle, is seen as complementary to AO's existing musicMagpie business, which AO bought in December 2024.
Jessops reported a 6.5% rise in revenues to £19.8 million last year, and made a pre-tax loss of £1 million, down from £1.17 million in 2024, according to its most recently filed accounts. Founded in 1935, Jessops has a troubled history, having called in administrators three times. Jones's PJ Investment Group bought the chain out of administration in 2013. Jones later reopened dozens of stores, but the company plunged into administration again in 2019 and 2021.
AO World's founder and chief executive, John Roberts, said he was delighted to welcome Jessops into the AO family and looked forward to growing the business and integrating the category into the wider AO business.