JD Sports has disclosed weaker like-for-like sales and profits during the past six months amid "strained consumer finances".
The decline was partially attributed to reduced sales in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ, where the retailer was also affected by several store closures, leaving it with 13 fewer º£½ÇÊÓÆµ outlets by August.
JD Sports chief executive Regis Schultz informed investors on Wednesday that he remains "cautious" regarding trading prospects for the second half of the financial year.
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The announcement coincided with the company reporting that group like-for-like sales fell by 2.5% to £5.94 billion during the 26 weeks to 2 August.
However, organic sales rose by 2.7% and total sales increased by 18% following acquisitions of the Hibbert and Courir brands.
The retailer revealed that like-for-like sales declined by 3.8% in its crucial North America division and dropped 3.3% in the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ.
JD Sports attributed its weaker º£½ÇÊÓÆµ performance to being "affected by tough prior-year comparatives due to the Euro 2024 football tournament". The company noted this particularly impacted replica football shirt sales during the period.
JD Sports also disclosed that adjusted pre-tax profits fell by 13.5% to £351 million over the half-year.
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The group stated this aligns with guidance and indicates it remains on course to achieve its annual targets.
Its º£½ÇÊÓÆµ operations experienced a 6.2% decline in operating profits before adjusting items and lease interest due to elevated labour costs, property expenses and investments in technology and cyber resilience. JD Sports' CEO, Mr Schultz, 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 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."