Online electrical retailer AO World announced on Thursday that it has completed the acquisition of Jessops from Dragons' Den star Peter Jones. The deal includes Jessops' entire business, encompassing its seven remaining stores across the UK.
The acquisition, funded from AO's existing cash resources, is part of the company's broader strategy to expand into new electrical categories beyond its traditional offerings such as white goods, mobile phones, and televisions. AO World stated that Jessops brings a "trusted brand and specialist expertise in cameras and optical technology."
The deal also incorporates Camera Jungle, Jessops' re-commerce business, which specialises in buying and selling secondhand digital cameras and accessories. This is seen as complementary to AO's existing musicMagpie operations, which it acquired in December 2024.
According to its most recently filed accounts, Jessops posted a 6.5% increase in revenues to £19.8m last year. The company recorded a pre-tax loss of £1m, an improvement from a £1.17m loss in 2024.
AO's founder and chief executive, John Roberts, expressed his delight at welcoming Jessops into the AO family, stating he looks forward to growing the existing business and integrating the category into the wider AO operations.