JD Sports enjoys ‘robust’ Christmas trading

JD SPORTS Fashion showed a stylish turn of foot over Christmas with a strong trading performance from its sportswear arm.

The group said like-for-like sales at its core business in the 48 weeks to 4 January were marginally better than growth of 5.8 per cent reported in November.

In addition, JD Sports said it had been largely able to protect its profit margins despite widespread retail discounting.

JD’s estate also includes outdoor stores under the Blacks and Millets brands, and the fashion outlets Bank, pictured left, and Scotts.

The Bury-based company added that its underlying profits will be in line with market expectations for the year to end-January.

Broker Investec has forecast a profit of £69 million – £9m better than the previous 12 months. JD group chairman Peter Cowgill said: “Throughout recent years of considerable change and expansion for the group, the core sports fascias’ proposition has continued to be developed and enhanced.”