British retailer JJB Sports Plc took the opportunity presented by its Annual General Meeting to let the market know about the current state of its business and to announce the end of the Icon chain. Total Group revenue, including health clubs, for the first half to July 23, 2006 increased 11.6% year-over-year, and included a 9.0% increase in comparable store sales.

Revenue from the retail store chain increased 9.8%, with over half of this increase coming from replica kit products as a result of both the World Cup and from JJB’s new Rangers FC licensing agreement. All other product categories recorded increases in revenue when compared to the same period last year, with the exception of golf. Revenue from JJB’s health clubs increased 40.7%.

The blended gross margin for the YTD period was down 180 basis points from last year. Included within this margin is a fall in the gross margin achieved by the retail store chain of 280 basis points.

The company will close its chain of 22 small Icon stores, which retails fashion/leisure clothing and footwear ranges that are not carried within the JJB stores.