JD Sports Fashion plc, the Bury-based FTSE 100 retailer, said its first-half group revenue increased 18% to £5.94 billion in the 26 weeks to August 2 — but profit before tax and adjusting items (PBTAI) fell 13.5% to £351 million in a “tough trading environment.”
The Bury firm said: “Sales growth in constant currency was 20% reflecting six months of Hibbett and Courir which we acquired during the prior year, alongside gains in market share across North America and Europe.”
Interim dividend was maintained at 0.33p per share.
In its outlook, JD Sports said: “We remain cautious on the trading environment for the second half of the year, reflecting continued pressure on consumer finances, elevated unemployment risk, and the ongoing transition in the footwear product cycle.
“Despite these headwinds, we expect our full-year profit before tax and adjusting items (FY26 PBTAI) to be in line with current market expectations.
“We continue to monitor the potential impact of US tariffs. However, based on current assessments, we anticipate the financial impact from US tariff exposure in the current financial year to be limited.”
JD Sports CEO Régis said: “We delivered organic sales growth of +2.7% in H1, in what remains a tough trading environment.
“This demonstrates the resilience of our business, underpinned by our agile multi-brand model, broad geographic reach and unmatched connection with customers.
“In North America, where we gained market share in the period, the development of our operations is progressing well.
“We continue to build strong brand awareness of the JD fascia by building out our customer proposition and investing in new stores; and for our complementary fascias we are successfully progressing the integration of Hibbett, while DTLR and Shoe Palace took over the operations of City Gear in June.
“Our supply chain investments are poised to unlock significant efficiencies across our global network.
“Our new European distribution centre in Heerlen, the Netherlands, is set to launch automation for JD Europe store replenishment in the coming weeks, while our US west coast site in Morgan Hill is set to go live with JD and Finish Line by year-end – the next step of our plan to leverage our distribution centres on a multi-fascia basis.
“In an environment of strained consumer finances and evolving brand product cycles, operating and financial discipline remains a core focus for JD, and we are controlling our costs and cash well.
“Whilst we remain cautious on the trading environment for the second half, we expect limited impact from US tariffs this financial year, and our full year profit before tax and adjusting items to be in line with current market expectations.”