Companies

Acquisitions drive JD Sports half year growth

Sep 25, 2025 United Kingdom

The UK-based sportswear retailer has reported strong sales growth in the first half of its fiscal year, driven mainly by its Hibbett and Courir acquisitions in the previous fiscal year

In the first half of the 2026 fiscal year, which ended on the 2^ndof August, JD Sports reported total sales of 5.94 billion British pounds (6.77 billion euros), representing an increase of 18% (or 20% on a constant currency basis), as compared to the same period last year.

Excluding the two businesses acquired in the 2025 financial year (Hibbett and Courir), organic sales growth was 2.7% at constant exchange rates. This includes a 5.2 percentage point increase in sales from new stores opened across the group.

During this period, organic sales in North America reached 2.32 billion British pounds (2.65 billion euros), up by 3.1% year-on-year and representing 39% of the company’s sales. There was also growth in organic sales in Europe and Asia Pacific, up by 6.0% year-on-year to 1.92 billion (2.19 billion euros) and 237 million British pounds (270.9 million euros), respectively. Conversely, organic sales in the UK fell by 1.7% year-on-year to 1.46 billion British pounds (1.67 billion euros).

“In North America, where we gained market share in the period, the development of our operations is progressing well. We continue to build strong brand awareness of the JD fascia by building out our customer proposition and investing in new stores; and for our complementary fascias we are successfully progressing the integration of Hibbett, while DTLR and Shoe Palace took over the operations of City Gear in June”, commented Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports.

At the end of the first half, JD Sports was operating 4 872 stores worldwide, as compared with 4 850 at the beginning. A total of 156 stores were opened, and 131 stores were closed across all fascias, including 32 store relocations. Three stores were sold as part of the company’s efforts to optimise its store portfolio.

In the first half of the current fiscal year, the company’s gross margin fell by 60 basis points to 48.0%, as compared to the same period a year ago. Excluding Hibbett and Courir, the gross margin fell by 40 basis points year-on-year. This was primarily due to investments in controlled pricing to boost competitiveness and engagement with online customers.

In line with the previous guidance, JD Sports’ profit before tax in the first half of the year was 351 million British pounds (401.2 million euros), which is a 9.5% increase on a comparable basis to the same period in fiscal year 2025.

“In an environment of strained consumer finances and evolving brand product cycles, operating and financial discipline remains a core focus for JD, and we are controlling our costs and cash well. Whilst we remain cautious on the trading environment for the second half, we expect limited impact from US tariffs this financial year, and our full year profit before tax and adjusting items to be in line with current market expectations”, concluded the CEO of the company.

1 GBP = 1.14 EUR

Image Credits: theindustry.fashion

United Kingdom Companies JD Sports Quarter Results Results Sportswear