Trading picking up at core chain
Sports and fashion retailer the John David Group has revealed a 1 per cent rise in pre-tax profits to£3.65 million, for the year to January 28.

The company's net debt was reduced by£17.6 million, despite the purchase of troubled All:sports chain for£15 million.

At the JD Sports fascia, total revenue was up 4 per cent, but only up 0.3 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

Executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: 'The period was another year of encouraging progress for our core sports fascias. Overall, the board expects results to continue to improve, particularly in the second half, and trading remains in line with expectations.'

The group will continue with plans to close underperforming stores.

Trading at JD Sports has picked up, with sales for the 12 weeks to April 29 up 2.1 per cent. However, like-for-like sales at the fashion fascias were down 5.4 per cent over the same period. The fashion fascia stores, which include the Scotts fascia, represent less than 8 per cent of the group's total sales.

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