JD Sports Christmas sales fall in 'volatile' market

(Sharecast News) - Fourth-quarter sales at JD Sports Fashion slipped further during the Christmas period as a return to growth in North America - the retailer's biggest market - was offset by a weak performance in the UK and Europe amid a volatile consumer environment. Group like-for-like sales fell 1.8% in the nine weeks to January 3, compared with a 1.7% decline in the previous quarter.

North America posted a 1.5% rise, while the UK and Europe fell 5.3% and 3.4% respectively.

JD Sports said it also expected "muted" market growth in fiscal 2027. Current-year profit guidance was maintained, with adjusted pre-tax profit forecast to be £849m according to a company-compiled consensus.

Current-year gross margin is forecast to be 50 basis points lower, driven by price investments, it added.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com