JJB Sports is reviewing the future of some of its store portfolio, according to reports in today’s Daily Telegraph.

According to the newspaper, the future of as many as 70 JJB stores is being examined as part of a review by Chris Ronnie, who took over as chief executive last year. It said that the closures are likely to be confirmed when JJB reveals its full-year results next month.

A JJB spokesman said the retailer is “always reviewing its store portfolio”. However, sources close to JJB played down the likelihood of as many as 70 stores facing the axe.

Sports retail has proved more robust than the wider fashion market in the present slowdown. In its last trading update in January, JJB announced a 2.2 per cent like-for-like revenue increase for the 23 weeks to January 6.