Jessops camera store business has been sold by Dragons' Den star Peter Jones to the white goods retailer AO for an undisclosed sum.
Jones' PJ Investment Group bought the UK photographic business out of administration in 2013, but struggled to turn the purchase into a success, with the company forced into administration again in 2019 and 2021. Jessops made a pre-tax loss of £1m in 2025 on a turnover of £19.8m.
The purchase by the well-known fridge and washing machine business "supports our strategy of expanding into adjacent categories, giving customers and members more reasons to shop with AO and increase our share of wallet,” AO World commented to The Guardian newspaper.
“Jessops brings a trusted brand and specialist expertise in cameras and optical technology, while its re-commerce business, Camera Jungle, is highly complementary to our existing musicMagpie operations and further strengthens our circular economy credentials.”
AO posted a turnover of £1.27 billion and an adjusted pre-tax profit of £50.5 million in its most recent financial results.
Jessops was founded by Frank Jessop in 1935 in Leicester, and the family business was then grown by his son Alan into a well-known high street brand and mail order business. Following a management buyout in 1996, the company saw rapid growth, and at one point had over 300 stores.
AO is planning to keep the seven existing Jessops stores open in London, Kingston-upon-Thames, Shrewsbury, Leeds, Sheffield, York and Glasgow.
