JD Sports
Fashion Plc said its underlying sales increased 1.7% over the 17 weeks to May
30. Like-for-like sales at the Bank and Scotts fashion chains were up 4.6% over the
period, while like-for-likes at the JD sportswear fascia rose 1.2%.

 

JD Sports Fashion’s like-for-like increase is an improvement on the 0.3% increase the retailer reported for the nine weeks to April 4.


However
JD Sports Fashion warned that maintaining gross margin would prove challenging
going forward, partly because the weak sterling has affected the cost of buying
in product for retailers.

 

A
statement from JD Sports Fashion said: “While hitherto satisfactory,
maintaining gross margin comparative with the previous year may prove
increasingly challenging later in the year, particularly having regard for
exchange rate pressures. However, the board remains encouraged by the progress
made so far this year towards achieving results in line with management
expectations.”

 

Last
month, JD Sports Fashion bought French footwear business Chausport for €8
million ($11.1M). The group said this represented a good opportunity to enter a
new European market.

 

The group
will report its interim results on September 22.