AO World strikes deal with Peter Jones to snap up Jessops
AO World has struck a deal with Dragons Den star Peter Jones to acquire struggling camera retailer Jessops.
The online retailer did not disclose how much it paid for the group but said the acquisition was funded from its “existing cash resources.”
AO World said the deal “supports our strategy of expanding into adjacent categories, giving customers and members more reasons to shop with AO and increase our share of wallet. Jessops brings a trusted brand and specialist expertise in cameras and optical technology.”
Founded in 1935, the camera retailer was rescued by Peter Jones after it fell into administration in 2013.
Jones re-opened dozens of stores that had been shuttered, but by 2019 the company plunged into administration a second time, and then a third time in 2021.
Jessops bets on online sales
The company now operates from just eight stores, having previously run more than 300 up and down the country, after a rapid retreat from the high street.
Jessops turned over just under £20m in the year to end September 2025, its latest accounts show, an increase of 6.5 per cent on the previous year, led by rising online sales.
The firm posted a loss of £1.1m for the year, down slightly on 2025.
“I am delighted to welcome Jessops into the AO family and look forward to growing the existing business as well as integrating the category into the wider AO business,” said AO World founder and chief executive John Roberts.
The deal marks the latest acquisition by AO following its takeover of Music Magpie in December 2024.
AO World on Thursday said it expected to report a 5.5 per cent uptick in sales and a more than 20 per cent jump in profit for the six months to the end of September, which the firm put down to improvements in its mobile and handset business.
“There continues to be a lot of uncertainty in the world but we look forward to heading into peak trading with confidence and momentum behind us,” Roberts said.