JD Sports store numbers worldwide 2013-2023, by region

JD Sports is a British sports fashion conglomerate with over 600 international branches in addition to its inventory of UK-based stores. The company trades in both retail and wholesale, sells premium athletic brands as well as its own brand of clothing and sportswear. As of January 2023, JD Sports operates 1107 stores worldwide.

JD Sports vs. Sports Direct

JD Sports is one of two big names of British sports fashion sector. Having reported high flying profit figures in recent years, the financial performance of JD Sports has been more impressive than the other contender, Sports Direct. In just a matter of a year, JD Sports went from 1.5 billion British pounds to 2.2 billion British pounds between 2018 and 2019.

Takeovers and expansion

Besides being rivals in sports fashion retail, JD Sports and Sports Direct have another thing in common. While the two brands compete for supremacy on the British high street, they both keep their eyes on smaller or struggling sports and fashion brands, and expand their business by takeovers. Since 2011, JD Sports acquired Champion Sports, GO Outdoors and Finish Line in addition to several other retail brands in Europe, Asia and the United States. Subsequently, the company’s overall retail space, including sports fashion and outdoor divisions, reached over 13 million square feet by January 2023.