JD adds fashion brands at stores

JD Sports Fashion will roll out fashion brands Bench and K Swiss across its JD stores after launching them in 90 and 60 stores respectively this summer.

A clothing range for the Nicholas Deakins brand, acquired in May, will go into Scotts stores, as well as a number of other retailers later this year.

The business will also put a Red or Dead womenswear collection into its Bank fashion chain following a licensing deal with the owner of the Red or Dead brand, Pentland Brands.

Like-for-like sales for the 32 weeks to September 13 were up 5.4% in the sports fascias, and 8.2% in the fashion fascias.

The group reported a 54% rise in profit before tax and exceptional items to £12.4m for the 26 weeks to August 2. Like-for-like sales rose 6%, with the JD chain up 5.9% and the Bank and Scotts fashion chains up 6.7%. Group sales are up 19% to £299m.

Chief executive Barry Bown said the increase was driven by improved product and positioning. However he was wary about performance in the second half of the financial year.
"We are up against very tough comparisons – double digit like-for-like growth – so to show like-for-like growth in the second half will be challenging."

JD Sports Fashion will have spent £12.2m on refurbishing 37 stores by the reporting year end. The group opened two stores in Bristol this week and will open  a branch in Westfield London in White City next month.