Now I'm convinced they've lost the plot. Like this is going to work when they are so much more expensive than anywhere else:
Jessops plans to stock more digital SLRs and less compact cameras as part of a huge shake up of its business that will shut down a quarter of its stores.
The news came after the high street chain yesterday announced plans to close 81 shops and cut 550 jobs, following its strategic review.
Digital SLRs will play a crucial role to Jessops success as the retailer battles to return to profitability in 2008 and ensure its business is 'fit for purpose'.
DSLR sales shot up at Jessops by 24.9% in value and 57.1% in volume terms for the six months to 1 April 2007, compared to the same period last year.
'Digital SLRs will become a bigger and bigger percentage – that's a growing market and digital compacts are declining so the mix will change,' explained chief executive Chris Langley at a media briefing in central London.
Langley explained that Jessops has been badly hit by falling prices of compact cameras and memory cards. However, the company is keen to stress there has not been a 'slowdown' in sales of digital cameras.
Currently, Jessops camera product mix is 50% compacts and 50% SLRS. Jessops expects this to change to 70% DSLRS and 30% compacts under proposals outlined by Langley.
Jessops also plans to sell more 'high margin add-ons' such as lenses and accessories such a tripods.
Bosses plan to close 81 stores by 30 September and hope to reduce total overheads by more than £15m.
Some of the job losses will be at Jessops head office in Leicester.
Meanwhile, Jessops said it has agreed £66.5m of funding with HSBC bank over the next 18 months.
'This is day one of the next stage of the company development,' said executive chairman David Adams, the recently recruited former finance director of House of Fraser.
Asked whether working for Jessops was easier than selling skirts Adams - who is a former finance director of Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins - replied: 'It's a very different supplier dynamic, I think that's fair to say. There are fewer suppliers. It's different. Selling skirts wasn't easy either.'
Simonzphotoz
kinda got board half way down, sure it was interesting though and thought i'd tag on the end than start a new thread. I have decided not to use Jessops ever again, unless totally unavoidable. The story goes thus...
I was in Cornwall and wanted to get a couple of filters, I have a Cokin P series holder for the D70. So I spotted a Jessops and knowing that they don't stock stuff like that, and are generally poo, I thought I would ask where a more specialized photo shop was. the guy wasn't very helpful to say the least, and I will admit that I could have worded it different.
Me "Excuse me, Is there a dedicated photo shop other than you guys here"
Fatty (laughs)"what do you mean?"
Me "One that is a little more specialized, you know dedicated slr's etc"
Fatty "(laughs again)"now I've heard it all" walks off.
It was something like that, i think he did tell me in the end but I felt like hitting him, jessops may be dedicated to the compact user but is NOT what I would called a specialized camera shop by any means. Any way rant over...
richard
they have a professional dept..which is probably better.
But, they really need to know the kit before they try and sell this stuff on the high street.
I bet anyone of us on here could do a better job than 95% of the staff they have.
"i want a canon remote shutter...model x etc.."
"whats one of those?"
"dont worry.....you cant have one in then" and then i walked out.
The other one ive been to, the sales person was magnificent. both in his service and knowledge
Simonzphotoz
I must just frequent the ones run by numpty's
hil26
[quote="richard"]
"i want a canon remote shutter...model x etc.."
"/quote]
went to spend some vouchers given to me as a pressie, asked for extension tube
offered teleconverter?!!!!! NUFF said
They do have some experienced photography staff in the shops, but few and far between, who I do feel for.
