Fears that Jessops may have suffered from a Christmas spending slowdown have been dispelled with news that the photography chain has reported a 3.1% increase in like-for-like sales for the five weeks to 5 January.

However, sales for the 14 weeks to 5 January were down 5.6%, the firm said in a statement today.

Despite what it described as ?strong like-for-like sales? over Christmas, Jessops admitted that its profit margins have been affected by ?challenging market conditions?.

Jessops said it will announce its preliminary results, for the year ended 30 September 2008, later this month.

Bosses expect earnings before tax for the 12 months to be in line with previous expectations – totalling more than £4.4m.

RELATED ARTICLES

Jessops denies camera maker ‘tie-up’ story

Jessops to close flagship store

Jessops agrees loan extension

Adams ‘committed’ to Jessops

Jessops sales down

NEWS UPDATE: Jessops to cut 200 more jobs

Branding promotion

DSLRs key to success

New Chairman

Jessops speaks out