JD Sports to close 50 branches next year as it issues huge update

- which is one of the UK's biggest sports retailers - has confirmed it next year.

Confirming the news in a statement this week, the retailer said the shake-up will also include 150 new openings and 100 relocation's and conversions. JD Sports has 4,800 stores across 36 countries, including 412 in the UK.

The closures are not expected to impact the UK with the JD Sports noting that the move will mainly affect branches in Eastern Europe. The statement read: "We anticipate 150 new stores and 100 conversions/relocation's in [FY26] There will also be 50 closures, mainly in Eastern Europe.”

The retailer also warned of "volatile" trading conditions in the year ahead as it continues to face "challenging" markets. However, it noted that its profits and sales were had meet forecasts for the past year, but shares in the company have dropped in recent weeks.

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The statement continued: "We expect the trading environment in our key markets to be volatile throughout the year and we have started the year in line with our expectations. We note the proposed changes to tariffs announced last week. At this stage, the outcome of these developments is uncertain.

"We are in regular dialogue with our brand partners but it is too early to comment on the potential sector impact."

For the 52 weeks to February, 1 2025, the sportswear giant reported a 5.8% organic sales growth, slightly ahead of guidance, with profit before tax and adjusting items falling within the range of £915million to £935million.

British Retail Consortium (BRC) chairman Andrew Higginson warned that if US President ’s tariffs remain at their current levels, prices are likely to increase.

Speaking on the Today programme, Higginson commented that it’s “unlikely” shoe production will shift to the US, but noted the outcome “depends on how high the tariffs are and for how long.”

JD Sports, which sources much of its goods from Asia, has been affected by concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs on imported products, especially those made in countries like China and Vietnam.

On the trading update, JD Sports CEO Régis Schultz said: “We have delivered a solid performance in a challenging market, with organic revenue growth of 5.8% for the year. This reflects the continued strength of our multi-channel consumer proposition and our growing international footprint.

“We remain focused on profitable growth and maintaining trading discipline, despite an environment that remains promotional and unpredictable in key markets. As we enter FY26, we do so with momentum in our core regions and a clear plan to unlock further scale and efficiency across the business.”

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