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JD Sports Widens Profit Guidance and Warns on Costs After Annual Profit Drop

The wider range reflects uncertainty from the Middle East conflict.

Overview

  • JD Sports, which reported annual results Thursday, set a wider pre-tax profit range of £750 million to £850 million for the year ahead.
  • Pre-tax profit for the year to January 2026 fell 6.4% to £852 million as group organic sales rose 2.1% to £12.66 billion.
  • UK organic sales fell 2.5% and the chain closed 24 stores on a net basis as it pursued a “fewer, bigger, better” estate.
  • The company said it has no direct Middle East exposure but warned higher fuel and energy costs from the conflict could lift prices and hit demand.
  • Recent trading turned choppy with a strong Easter followed by weak April footfall, and last month’s chair exit added boardroom strain.