JD Sports has defied the high street gloom by posting a searing set of results, as bosses attempted to contrast their success with the tumultuous time faced by arch rivals Sports Direct.
Sales in the 海角视频 jumped 10 per cent on a like-for-like basis, with bosses saying customers have been reacting positively to the retailer's push towards more premium products and a strong online business.
Peter Cowgill did have a warning for landlords, hinting that he would expect rent reviews following several high street rivals using the CVA insolvency process which has allowed them to cut rents to avoid going bust.
He said: "We are very aware of the financial benefit that other retailers appear to get when they downsize their estates and, whilst we have no plans to fundamentally alter the size of the JD store network in the 海角视频 at this time, we continue to seek fairness and flexibility in the terms of our leases."
The executive chairman's calls follow similar warnings from Next boss Simon Wolfson, who has inserted CVA clauses into some leases - meaning if neighbouring retailers have cut rents due to a CVA, Next should too.
But overall, it was a positive six months for JD Sports, with pretax profits hitting £129.9m on revenues of £2.52bn in the half year to August 3.
Elsewhere in the 海角视频, its gyms business grew to 120,000 members across 25 gyms, and bosses plan to open four new sites this year.
But there was disappointment at its Go Outdoors business, which bosses admitted had poor availability during May and June due to a change in the way products reached the stores.
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On Brexit, Mr Cowgill warned that "we recognise that there is heightened uncertainty surrounding the nature of the 海角视频's exit from the European Union and we are very cognisant of the increases risk of a disorderly exit".
To help offset any problems, he revealed that plans for a new warehouse in Belgium, which had been due sometime after 2021, have been brought forward to ensure its European operations do not suffer.
In Europe, JD Sports also revealed it opened 23 stores during the period, including one in Austria for the first time. A flagship store in Paris is also on its way, bosses added.
Mr Cowgill said: "We are increasingly confident that JD is developing the same emotional resonance with consumers in Europe as it is in its core 海角视频 and Ireland market."
However, the company's US brand Finish Line suffered heavily, with the closure of 10 stores and 29 Macy's concessions.
Staff from the 海角视频 have been sent to the States to try and help turn around the brand and tighten up the level of discounting on offer, but JD said it expects a similar number of stores to close in the second half of the year.
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Steve Miley, senior market analyst at Ask Traders said the company was 'well prepared' to expand globally.
He said: "The company strategy of focusing on millennials and generation Z customers through a combination of multi-channel organic growth with strategic acquisitions is paying off, JD Sports being one of the retailers with increasing sales and profitability.
"The current global expansion efforts aim to transform what was a 海角视频 focused business into a global player in the Sports Fashion segment.
"With the acquisition of Finish Line in the US completed last year and the planned opening of new stores under the JD brand, the company is well prepared to expand in the largest sports market in the world."