Popular sportswear chain’s growth set to be stunted by Iran war

WorldBusiness & Finance
8 May 2026 • 12:13 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Popular sportswear chain’s growth set to be stunted by Iran war

  • JD Sports Fashion has warned that the Middle East conflict could push up prices and weaken consumer demand, potentially impacting its future profits.
  • The retail giant simultaneously reported a 6.4 per cent drop in its annual pre-tax profit to £852 million for the year ending January 2026.
  • For the upcoming financial year, JD forecasts a pre-tax profit between £750 million and £850 million, citing geopolitical uncertainty for the wider guidance range.
  • While total organic sales increased by 2.1 per cent globally, the company saw a 2.5 per cent decline in organic sales in the UK due to a challenging consumer backdrop.
  • JD Sports closed a net 24 stores in the UK over the past year and noted that recent cold and wet weather has further dampened sales since the financial year-end.

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