JD Sports has successfully acquired the French retailer Courir for €520m (£452m), expanding its market reach.
- Courir operates 323 stores across several European countries, providing JD Sports with a strategic foothold.
- As part of the deal, some stores in France and Portugal will be transferred to Snipes by early 2026.
- The acquisition aims to diversify JD Sports’ customer base, focusing on a more female and fashion-oriented audience.
- Despite revenue growth, JD Sports anticipates lower profits due to milder than expected weather conditions.
JD Sports has completed the acquisition of Courir, a well-known French sportswear and footwear retailer. The deal, valued at €520m (£452m), received the necessary clearance from the European Commission, marking a significant expansion for JD Sports in the European market.
Courir operates a robust network of 323 stores located in France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Luxembourg. The retailer also includes unique brand concepts such as Naked, which is dedicated to women’s sneakers, and has 36 additional franchise stores spanning north-west Africa, the Middle East, and France’s overseas territories.
The agreement stipulates divestment of 15 Courir stores in France and all six of its outlets in Portugal to Snipes, a German sportswear retailer. This transfer will occur in the first quarter of 2026, complying with European Commission conditions set on 22 October 2024.
JD Sports CEO, Régis Schultz, expressed that the acquisition broadens the company’s customer reach by targeting a market segment that is more female, fashion-conscious, and slightly older, which complements its existing consumer demographics.
In related company updates, JD Sports reported a revenue of £5bn for the 26 weeks ending 3 August 2024, reflecting a 5.2% increase from the previous year. However, it adjusted its profit forecast to the lower end of its guidance due to the unexpectedly mild weather in October, which impacted seasonal sales.
This acquisition strategically positions JD Sports for growth in diverse European markets.
