Morrisons has acquired seven Jessops stores as part of a wider move that will see it build its convenience store offering this year.

The sites – four in London, two in other parts of England and one in Scotland – were bought from the collapsed specialist camera chain’s administrators PwC and will be turned into M Local stores.

At present, the supermarket chain has 12 convenience outlets.

“Morrisons is aiming to build its convenience business by adding at least another 50 stores this year,” said a spokeswoman.

Last month, the retailer reported gloomy Christmas trading with like for like sales down 2.5% for the six weeks to 30 December.

Chief executive Dalton Philips admitted that, in a difficult market, sales were lower than expected.

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