The sports specialist delivered an interim profit of£3.2 million, compared with a loss of£2.6 million for the same period last year. However, last year's figures were hit by exceptional costs of£3.7 million.
Sales for the half year were£235.9 million - up 12.6 per cent from£209.6 million.
John David Group executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: 'Trading since the period end has been satisfactory, with year-to-date like-for-like sales to September 23 at the JD Sports Fascias up 4 per cent (excluding All:sports and the newly acquired airport stores). The fashion fascias' like-for-like sales for the same period are up 5.7 per cent against weak comparatives.'
Cowgill added: 'Overall, the board expects results to continue to improve with trading to date running marginally ahead of market expectations. Our final result remains heavily dependent upon sales performance during the key Christmas trading period.'
The retailer has completed the conversion of all the All:sports stores it plans to retain to JD Sports, while acquiring 14 airport stores from Hargreaves (Sports). Airports are seen as a key market.
The fashion fascias account for 7 per cent of turnover and are in the process of flux as the group sells underperforming stores and converts others to the Scotts Fascia.
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