JD on track for festive rush
JD Sports Fashion says it is starting to see a recovery in its outdoor business, while sales in its core JD Sports chain are continuing to sparkle.
The Bury-based retailer said in a trading update that like-for-like sales in its sports and fashion fascias were “very much the same level” as the 5.8% it saw in the 26 weeks to August 3, and reported in September.
JD said: “We are pleased to report that after a further sixteen weeks’ trading, the like-for-like sales improvement for these [sport and fashion] fascias stands cumulatively at very much the same level. We are also pleased with very recent progress in the outdoor fascias.
“The result for the full year remains, as usual, substantially dependent on the sales and margin performance through the Christmas period and particularly in the last two weeks of December. At this stage the board believes the group remains on course to deliver earnings at least in line with current expectations.”
Earlier this month, JD took a controlling stake in outdoor retailer Tiso and acquired sports etailer ActivInstinct.
In a further development the company has agreed a three-fight sponsorship deal with boxing promoter Frank Warren and dedicated boxing TV channel BoxNation.
