Jessops - Jessops Information

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Jessops Camera Shop History

Jessops photographic focus first emerged in 1935 when Frank Jessop branched out from his Chemist store into opening a photographic retail outlet in Leicester. Initially the stock was limited to cine film but by the 1960's when Alan Jessop (Frank's son) joined the firm photography had become a popular hobby amongst British consumers and the business was flourishing with a strong reputation in specialist photographic equipment and development. Concentrating on mail order and low price cash and carry with the Jessops price list queue's became commonplace and customer demand led to relocation in 1978 to Hinkley into the then Guinness Book of Records 'World’s largest photographic store'. Jessops' reputation grew for choice, cost, impartial advice and guidance - the Jessops School of Photography is still based at their Hinkley site.

The first branch store outside of Leicester opened in 1981 in London initially selling Jessops used products but soon began stocking new to customers. At the same time the company also began to develop their own range of accessories which have received many accolades for reliability and functionality at low prices. The business rapidly expanded with eighteen stores opening across the UK during 1981 - 1987. By the 1990's there were over fifty Jessops stores in the UK. In 1997 digital photography was embraced by Jessops and all stores were fitted with digital equipment facilities to enable full demonstrations for customers interested in this new technology. Whilst store expansions grew throughout the 1990's with many acquisitions adding to the company in 1999 Jessops com web store was launched offering over 15,000 items of their photographic stock to customers who lived outside of easy travelling distance to a Jessops store. 2000 saw digital photographic printing labs join many stores and ordering facilities on the Jessops web site.

Jessops popularity with UK customers throughout this time continued to grow and the company has emerged as the leading specialist photographic retailer in the country. Currently Jessops has over 270 stores nationwide and have won many awards and accolades nationally for both their products and service.

Jessops Web Site - Jessops.com

With an early web presence the Jessops web site - Jessops.com has a massive range of products and services available online. Their amazing online store range of products and services include:

If you are looking for specialist photographic equipment or clear impartial advice and guidance on your next photographic purchase visit Jessops .com.