CONTINUED strong demand for digital cameras helped photographic specialist Jessops to another upbeat set of sales figures.
The group, which has 271 stores, described Christmas trading conditions as tough, but said it still improved total sales by 10.4 per cent in the five weeks to January 2. The figure without new store openings was 6.2 per cent higher.
Sales of digital cameras were up 26 per cent on last year and demand for digital developing and processing was also stronger.
Chief executive Derek Hine said: "Despite a generally tough retail environment, our trading over Christmas held up well against some very strong growth comparators, both last year and in 2003.
"While it remains early days, trading in the first three months has maintained the momentum of 2004, with continued evidence of the strong demand for digital products."
Shoppers buying over the Internet and through mail order and telesales helped sales to rise 46.2 per cent. The sales gain for stores in the run-up to Christmas was 4.5 per cent.
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