JD Sports Fashion is making a further international push by opening stores in Paris under its JD fascia.

This will be on the back of its first international acquisition last year of 78-chain French retailer Chausport. It is understood the retailer will trial JD in two locations in the French capital by the end of this year.

The move comes after the retailer reported improving sales in the run-up to the World Cup with like-for-like sales up 4.1% in the 18 weeks to June 5.

JD’s eponymous fascia benefited from sales of World Cup-related product with like-for-likes rising 5.2% for the period.

Sales at its fashion fascias, which include Bank and Scotts, dipped 1.2% - an improvement from a 3.5% like-for-like fall at the chains for the 10 weeks to April 10.