The retailer’s pre-tax profit fell 7.7% to £852m despite strong sales growth driven by acquisitions and apparel demand.
JD Sports reported a 10.5% increase in revenue to £12.66bn for the fiscal year ended 31 January 2026, supported by acquisitions and regional growth outside the UK. However, profit before tax declined 7.7% to £852m, reflecting margin pressures and shifting product cycles in footwear.
Operating profit before adjusting items fell 5.4% to £886m from £937m in FY25, while statutory operating profit dropped 12.8% to £787m. Operating margin narrowed to 7.0% from 8.2%. Organic sales rose 2.1% at constant exchange rates, though like-for-like sales dipped 2.1%.
Apparel sales grew around 5% globally, while footwear remained flat. Online sales surged 12.2% in North America and 3.8% in Europe, driven by omni-channel investments. The company cited running category momentum as a key growth driver.