Sports Direct International sales rise 2.6 percent

Sports Direct International in its interim management statement for the period from October 27, 2014 to February 18, 2015 said that its sales went up 2.6 percent to 771million pounds (1,190.3 million dollars) and gross profit increased 7.6 percent to 346.9 million pounds (535.6 million dollars). The company’s retail sales during the period under review increased 2.7 percent and gross profit increased 9.4 percent.

However, premium lifestyle sales in the period decreased 0.4 percent with gross profit decreasing 2.8 percent. The brands division revenue increased 4.8 percent and the corresponding gross profit decreased by 0.9 percent.

Commenting on the trading update, Dave Forsey, Chief Executive of Sports Direct International, said, “Within sports retail we continue to focus on upgrading our store portfolio and integrating our business in Austria where a weak winter sports season across Europe has proved challenging. The board is very confident of achieving at least our full year internal underlying EBITDA target of 360 million pounds (556.2 million dollars), before the charge for the Employee Bonus Share Schemes.”

The Group's preliminary results for the year ending April 2015 will be announced on July 16, 2015.