AO World Acquires Jessops from Peter Jones
UK electrical retailer AO World has completed the acquisition of specialist photography retailer Jessops from entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones.
The deal, announced on 24 September 2026, sees Jessops become part of the Bolton-based AO World group, which has been expanding beyond its traditional electrical and white goods categories. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, with AO confirming that the purchase was funded from its existing cash resources.
AO said the acquisition brings a recognised photography brand and specialist expertise in cameras and optical technology into its business. Jessops’ existing Camera Jungle operation, which specialises in buying and selling second-hand photography equipment, will also become part of the AO group.
Expanding into photography
The acquisition represents AO’s latest move into adjacent retail categories. The company acquired musicMagpie in December 2024, giving it an established presence in the resale and refurbishment of consumer technology.
AO says Camera Jungle is complementary to musicMagpie and will strengthen its presence in the growing recommerce market.
AO founder and chief executive John Roberts said the company looks forward to growing the existing Jessops business and integrating photography into the wider AO operation. AO expects the business to benefit from its scale, online traffic and operational expertise over the next 12 months.
Jessops’ changing fortunes
Jessops was founded in Leicester in 1935 and became one of the UK’s best-known photography retailers, operating hundreds of stores at its peak.
Peter Jones acquired the Jessops brand following its administration in 2013 and subsequently rebuilt the business. Jessops later entered administration again in 2019 and 2021, with its physical retail presence becoming considerably smaller over time.
The company’s latest accounts show revenue of £19.8 million for the year to September 2025, an increase of 6.5% year-on-year, although the business reported a pre-tax loss of around £1 million. Growth was driven largely by online sales.
AO’s acquisition includes Jessops’ remaining UK stores as well as its online business and Camera Jungle operation.
A new chapter for a familiar photography name
For photographers, the acquisition marks another significant change in the long history of one of the UK’s best-known camera retailers.
AO has said it intends to grow the Jessops business while bringing its photography expertise into the wider group. How the acquisition will affect Jessops’ stores, online offering and future product and service strategy will become clearer as the integration progresses.
The deal also gives AO an established route into the photography market at a time when online retail, second-hand equipment and recommerce are becoming increasingly important parts of the industry.
