UK high street giant with 4,500 stores to close 50 branches next year

JD Sports - which is one of the UK's biggest sports retailers - has confirmed it will be closing around 50 stores 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 4,500 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.”

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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 set to meet forecasts for the past year, but shares in the company have dropped in recent weeks.

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."

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