Jessops UK to close 81 shops

[geoff_foale]

Following disasterous trading figures over the past year Jessops, one of the

leading UK high street photographic companies, has announced a massive shake up

of its operations and a loss of jobs.

 

The announcement was briefly mentioned on UK radio this morning before being

ousted by 'more important' political shenanigans. However, Reuters have covered

this story in depth.

 

Jessops blame the rise of digital cameras and decrease in film processing for

their problems. There has been a massive increase in the sales of cheaper point

and shoot cameras and most people that I know still take their cards to be

'developed' as with film. So I think Jessops difficulties probably stem from a

failure to compete with supermarkets, electrical retailers and internet shops

for the increased trade.

 

They are a well trusted company so I hope they manage to become more

competitive and survive for many years.

 

Geoff.

[BrianS1664879711]

This is a real shame. But I agree with you, Geoff, that it is more likely a problem of being unable to adapt to the changing marketplace. Change is often difficult, but this is like watching evolution in real-time: adapt or go extinct.

[chris_waller]

I guess that I, among many, am responsible in part for this. I bought a cheap Casio digital point & shoot from Comet, but all my 'serious' photography is on b+w film, both 35mm and 120, from which Jessops have largely withdrawn, forcing me to buy my film by mail-order and my chemistry either by mail-order or from a wholesaler.

[removing the shackles]

Though it could be the internet, their very long order lists, their non instock camera accesorys, their 4 week processing for 120 film, their over priced second hand lenses, their non existant staff product training and their over willingness to sell you the latest DSLR.

could also be considered

Though with all these niggles I will miss them when their gone

[hanna_cowpe]

During a recent trip to Bath I was somewhat surprized to find one of their two branches had closed down. I used the remaining one several times for downloading cards and a few purchases. They need to seriously work on their staff-to-customer attitudes and train their personnel to admit they don't know the answer to a question rather than fudge it. Keeping stock of basic accessories such as filters would also be helpful particularly in a major tourist city where customers cannot wait for weeks for delivery.

[art_haykin]

Don't weep for firms who go extinct due to changes and advances in technology, it's been happening for centuries. There are few buggywhip and buttonhook makers still around. "Adapt or perish" is still true, and always will be.

 

The Studebaker brand in America is a classic example. The family started out as quality wagon and carriage makers, and enjoyed decades of success with their cars, but soon lost market share to the Big 3. The now classic Avanti was their final bid for survival, but it was too little too late.

 

Even the most liberal of us is somewhat conservative when it comes to change and progress, and only the visionaries with resources can cope.

 

The business the 81 closed stores did will be shared out among the living, and the consumer will only be inconvenienced at most.

 

Anyone want to buy a Polaroid, a 3-d camera, a flashgun that uses bulbs, an accessory rangefinder, a selenium lightmeter, an 8mm movie camera, or a 620 Brownie?

[chris_waller]

From The Independent:-

 

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/analysis_and_features/article2692525.ece

[alan_ginman]

I suspect that they are also partly victims of the policy a lot of buyers have of looking at equipment in a shop and then buying it online. When I was shooting film a couple of years ago I always liked the fact that I could walk into one of their London West End branches and buy properly refrigerated professional colour film, or 120 black and white film. My local, very small branch still sells black and white chemicals and paper. And they will order any film you want fairly quickly. How many consumer shops could you say that about? Trouble is, I don't shoot film any more, so most of my business with them has gone.

 

Their second hand business was very useful, being a nationwide service that would deliver an item to your local branch for you to look at before you bought it. And their Classic shop in that delightful little square in the centre of London was an Aladdin's Cave of classic cameras. I visited the place several times, but never bought anything.

 

Someon above said that you shouldn't shed any tears for businesses that can't keep up, but I do. They brought a photographic presence to the high street and benefited both 'serious' photographers and passing snapshoters.

 

Ho hum

 

Alan

[mark_satola1]

"Anyone want to buy a Polaroid...?"

 

Depends, Art! Do you have a 360 or 450 for sale at a reasonable price? Would love to try

emulsion lifts. Or a 110A, perhaps, for that fine 135mm Rodenstock lens, which would

make

a nice wide-angle when remounted for my Omega 45D.

 

Seriously, though, even with their recent customer service problems, it sounds like the

store filled a number of needs. The more I converse with people around the US, the more I

find that full-service photography shops are becoming harder to find. It appears northeast

Ohioans are rather lucky to have the downtown Dodd Camera, as well as a number of labs,

both digital and hand-crafted analogue; as well as Loomis Camera in Elyria with a hisoric

sign.

[geoff_foale]

I've been checking printer prices from a number of reputable UK companies and found that in every case Jessops were the most expensive by far. Over 25% above the cheapest and slightly over the recommended prices.

 

They don't appear to be learning so I fear they are doomed.

[derek_simpson]

Sadly they bought up loads of good independent shops around ten years ago - then they standardised stock so all the shops were the same - employed too many uninformed and unenthusiastic workers (apologies to some honourable exceptions) - all at the wrong moment when the whole business changed rapidly. Dropping the second hand facility meant they were of little interest - basically they were competing in the Argos market - rarely did they stock the top of the range and at all levels were beaten hollow on price. You have to offer service or price to compete.

[milbourn]

If there is a single explanation it is that before other shops did not sell film cameras. However, now a camera is just seen as another bit of electronic equipment and just about every electrical store is selling them like Currys, Comet etc. They are not strong for enthusiasts, e.g. they don't have a decent tripod in stock, they probably go to specialist shops. I think Porter called it "stuck in the middle".