Sports Direct International plc reported total sales for the nine weeks ending Sept. 25 grew 11.5 percent to £329m ($376 mm) and gross profit increased 12.0 percent to £131m ($150 mm).


Retail division sales for the same period increased 12.1 percent to £296m ($338 mm) and retail gross profit increased 13.3 percent to £119m ($169 mm).  This does not include sales and gross profit from the newly formed Premium Lifestyle division.
 
In the Interim Management Statement on Sept. 7, the Board confirmed that the Group is confident of reaching the full year targeted underlying EBITDA of £215m (before the charge for the bonus share scheme).  Based on current trading, the Board remains of this view.

“The Group has delivered strong growth through the second quarter, further validating our resilient business model,” said CEO Dave Forsey. “The strong trading highlights the positive sales growth achieved post the tough FIFA World Cup comparisons, while we have continued to invest in margin, inventory and additional Group marketing.”
 
Forsey said management continues to believe that the Group's strong performance, particularly against the tough economic backdrop, is underpinned by the introduction of the Employee Bonus Share Scheme in 2009 and the new four-year scheme announced earlier in 2011.
 


The company will announce its Interim Results for the 26 weeks ending 23 October 2011 on Thursday 15 December 2011.