For the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026, sales declined 0.7 per cent year on year (YoY) to £5.899 billion (~$7.82 billion, as per conversion rate of $1 = £0.7545 as on September 24, 2026), while sales at constant currency fell 0.8 per cent. Operating profit before adjusting items decreased 20.5 per cent to £294 million (~$389.66 million), and profit before tax and adjusting items (PBTAI) fell 19.7 per cent to £282 million (~$373.75 million).
JD Sports Fashion has maintained its FY27 profit and cash flow guidance as it advances its store, digital and product strategy.
For the 26 weeks ended August 1, 2026, sales were £5.90 billion (~$7.82 billion), while adjusted pre-tax profit was £282 million (~$373.75 million).
Online sales gained share and apparel and accessories
The gross margin narrowed 20 basis points to 46.8 per cent and the operating margin declined to 5 per cent from 6.2 per cent. Statutory operating profit was £314 million (~$416.16 million), down 19.3 per cent, but statutory profit before tax rose 74.6 per cent to £241 million (~$319.41 million), as net finance expense fell to £73 million (~$96.75 million) from £251 million (~$332.66 million), JD Sports said in a press release.
“While the trading environment remains tough, I am encouraged by the progress we are making and confident in our strategic execution,” said Régis Schultz, chief executive officer, JD Sports Fashion plc.
Online mix and apparel growth support trading
Organic sales fell 0.7 per cent, with net new space contributing 2.1 percentage points despite a 2.2 per cent reduction in the store count. Like-for-like sales declined 2.8 per cent.
Apparel and accessories sales increased by around 4 per cent year on year and accounted for 36 per cent of group sales, helping to offset an approximately 3 per cent decline in footwear sales. The company cited encouraging momentum in performance running and newer footwear styles.
Organic online sales rose 5.2 per cent, lifting e-commerce to 20 per cent of group sales from 19 per cent a year earlier. JD Sports launched new e-commerce platforms in the UK and Ireland, while its JD STATUS loyalty programme exceeded 10 million active customers globally.
Cash position improves despite free cash outflow
Adjusted basic earnings per share declined to 3.97p (~$0.05) from 4.60p (~$0.06), while statutory basic earnings per share rose to 3.45p (~$0.05) from 0.80p (~$0.01). Free cash flow improved to an outflow of £18 million (~$23.86 million) from an outflow of £68 million (~$90.12 million), and the group ended the period with net cash, before lease liabilities, of £168 million (~$222.66 million), compared with net debt of £125 million (~$165.67 million) a year earlier.
The company continued to optimise its physical estate, remaining on track to convert or close its remaining standalone Finish Line locations by the end of FY28. It also completed the consolidation of JD Germany stores after the reporting period and initiated a JD and Sizeer store reorganisation in Eastern Europe.
FY27 guidance unchanged
JD Sports maintained its FY27 PBTAI guidance of £700 million (~$927.75 million)-£800 million (~$928 million-$1.06 billion) and free cash flow guidance of £460 million (~$609.66 million)-£520 million (~$610 million-$689 million).
“Our FY27 guidance is unchanged from our Q2 trading statement, reflecting our focus on working capital efficiency and inventory management,” added Schultz.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
