Cowgill hails ‘exceptional’ Christmas at JD Sports
JD Sports Fashion continues its focus on improving its outdoor businesses as Christmas sports fashion sales helped to boost overall performance.
The Bury-based retailer said in a trading update that like-for-like sales in its sports and fashion fascias for the 48 weeks to January 4, 2014 were “marginally ahead” of the 5.8% it had previously reported for 42 weeks to November 23.
Executive chairman Peter Cowgill told TheBusinessDesk.com the performance of the sports stores had been “exceptional” given the squeeze on household budgets and the strong performance in Christmas 2012.
“We had a good Christmas, and to be above 6% on like-for-like is great news. We didn’t go on promotion too soon and so protected the margin.”
He said the group was making progress in its drive to boost performance of the fashion fascias and its outdoor division.
In November, JD took a controlling stake in outdoor retailer Tiso and acquired sports etailer ActivInstinct.
Mr Cowgill said: “Christmas 2013 has seen yet another very robust performance from our core sports fascias. Throughout recent years of considerable change and expansion for the group, the core sports fascias’ proposition has continued to be developed and enhanced.
“I am delighted that the most recent six weeks’ trading has continued to give confidence for the future. I also expect considerable further progress elsewhere in the group in 2014.”
It remains on course to deliver full year profits for the year to Febuary 1 in line with expectations, it said – preliminary results will be announced in April.
