JD Sports news and archive

Kath Smith steps down as senior independent director at JD Sports

UK-based omni-channel retailer JD Sports Fashion (JD) has announced that Kath Smith, senior independent director, will stand down from her position on the board on January 19, 2027, after more than seven years with the business. Smith joined the board in May 2019 and was appointed senior independent director and designated workforce engagement...

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Business

Apparel sales drive growth for JD Sports amidst footwear weakness

UK-based sports fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion plc (JD Group) has published its financial results for the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026, revealing a 74.6 percent surge in statutory profit before tax to 241 million pounds (321 million dollars). The group’s statutory performance was bolstered by a significant reduction in adjusting items,...

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Retail

JD Sports Fashion partners with Axo for Mexican market entry

UK-based sports fashion group JD Sports Fashion (JD) has announced a long-term franchise agreement with Mexican omni-channel retail distributor Grupo Axo to launch the JD retail brand in Mexico. Under the agreement, Axo will manage JD retail locations and e-commerce platforms in Mexico, using JD intellectual property and brand assets. The...

People

JD Sports Fashion appoints new North American CEO and global CMO

UK-based retail giant JD Sports Fashion plc (JD Group) has announced senior appointments to drive its growth strategy in North America and strengthen its global brand presence. John Mersho has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the JD fascia in North America. Mersho succeeds John Hall, who retired after a four-decade career...

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JD Sports lowers profit forecast amid challenging Q2 trading

UK-based retail group JD Sports Fashion (JD Group) has revised its full-year profit guidance downward following a challenging second quarter. The group now anticipates profit before tax and adjusting items of between 700 million pounds and 800 million pounds (953 to 1,089 million dollars) for the fiscal year 2027, compared to the previously...

Fashion

JD Sports brings Yeezy back to physical retail in US

JD Sports Fashion has begun selling Yeezy footwear in the US, marking the brand’s return to physical retail following the end of its partnership with Adidas and rapper Ye. The British sportswear retailer began offering selected Yeezy styles from August 13, with the range available online and at participating JD Sports stores across the US. The...

People

JD Sports appoints Peter Agnefjäll as board chair

UK retail group JD Sports Fashion plc (JD Sports) has announced the appointment of Peter Agnefjäll as chair of its board of directors, effective September 1, 2026. The executive appointment follows a search process led by senior independent director Kath Smith alongside the board. Agnefjäll succeeds Darren Shapland, who has served as interim...

People

JD Sports appoints Darren Shapland as interim chair

UK sports fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion Plc (JD Sports) has announced the appointment of Darren Shapland as interim chair with immediate effect. The decision follows the conclusion of the annual general meeting of the group on July 21, 2026. Shapland steps into the interim role while the company conducts a search for a permanent chair. The...

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Business

JD Sports partners with Children in Need on one million pound fund for youth projects

Sportswear retailer JD Sports has announced a new partnership with the BBC’s Children in Need to create a one million pound fund backing 50 youth projects across the UK. The initiative looks to support up to 10,000 young people and 90 youth workers in target locations near JD Sports stores, such as Glasgow, Greater Manchester, and London. JD...

Retail

JD Sports closes Hip stores, moves brand online

JD Sports has officially closed all physical stores of Hip as it removes the premium streetwear multibrand retailer from high streets and pivots towards an online-only model. The brand’s remaining two stores in Manchester and Leeds closed at the end of June, bringing to an end nearly four decades of physical retail. Hip was established in 1987...

Retail

British brand Montirex launches in Spain through JD Sports

British sportswear brand Montirex has chosen Spain as a key market in its European expansion strategy. It is leveraging the international distribution network of JD Sports for its launch into a selection of key points of sale across the country. Founded in Liverpool in 2019 by Daniel Yuen and Kieran Riddell Austin, the brand has successfully...

Retail

JD Sports to close 175 Hibbett stores as restructuring continues

JD Sports has said it is planning to close around 175 Hibbett stores over the next three years as part of an ongoing optimisation of its North American footprint. Speaking during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, chief executive Régis Schultz said the retailer is focusing on closing smaller and lower-performing stores while...