The sportswear retailer posted pre-tax profits before exceptionals of £383.5m, down from £439.5m in the comparable period, helped by “continued robust performance” in the core UK and Ireland market and profitability in Europe and the US. 

Sales at JD Sports, which earlier this year parted company with veteran chief executive Peter Cowgill but yesterday drafted him back in as a consultant, rose to £4.42bn from £3.89bn.