Hard tackle: JD Sports warns of weak footfall but post-lockdown sales hold up

JD Sports has warned that retail footfall remains “weak” as cost rises caused by higher online sales weighed down on half-year profits. The sportswear retailer said its pre-tax profits for the six months to 1 August fell 68 per cent to £41.5 million. Meanwhile, it posted revenues of £2.54 billion, down from £2.71bn for the same period last year, after it was forced to shut stores tem - porarily. Peter Cowgill, executive chairman, said he has been encouraged by the performance of stores since they reopened, with positive trading in the first weeks of the current half-year.