Major high street chain with over 4,500 stores to shut 50 locations for good next year in huge shake-up
ONE of Britain’s biggest sports retailers has confirmed it will shut down 50 stores next year.
The huge shake up will include 150 new openings and 100 relocation’s and conversions.
JD Sports, which has 4,500 stores across 36 countries, including 412 in the UK, confirmed the shut downs to The Sun today.
The high street retailer has a particularly strong presence in the UK, as well as in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.
But when asked whether any of the 50 closures would be in the UK, the company declined to comment further.
A statement read: “We anticipate 150 new stores and 100 conversions/relocation’s in [FY26].
“There will also be 50 closures, mainly in Eastern Europe.”
The retailer also warned of “volatile” trading conditions in the year ahead amid plans to close more than a dozen stores.
It added that profits and sales were set to meet forecasts for the past year despite facing a “challenging” market but shares in the company have dropped in recent weeks.
JD Sports was established in 1981 with a single store in the North West of England.
The brand sells a number of products, including Nike trainers, which are manufactured in countries such as Vietnam.
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.”
Despite these uncertainties, the company reported a minor increase in revenues for the last quarter, propelled by its European business.
It comes as Donald Trump’s explosive tariffs have officially taken effect across the globe – including a crushing 104% hike for China.
Around 60 countries have been slapped with the huge increases but the UK has not faced any further rises beyond the 10% baseline rise.
Despite this, JD Sport confirmed the closures are not attributed to the tariffs.
Another closure, set to happen in just days comes from a JD Sports rival.
Sports Direct will close its Newmarket Road store in Cambridge on April 18.
The retailer, which has over 500 branches, launched a massive closing down sale, slashing prices to clear stock before it disappears for good.