JJB.L Regulatory News (JJB)

18 Dec 2007 07:00

JJB Sports PLC18 December 2007 18 December 2007 JJB Sports acquires the Original Shoe Company JJB Sports plc ("JJB") today announces that it has acquired the Original ShoeCompany ("Original Shoe Company") from Sports Direct International PLC for aconsideration of £5m in cash. The Original Shoe Company sells a range of branded lifestyle clothing andfootwear. Its premium clothing brands include Ben Sherman, Henri Lloyd, adidasOriginals and Timberland whilst its footwear includes trainers and other leisurefootwear from brands such as Lacoste, K-Swiss, Caterpillar, Converse andTimberland. There are currently 60 Original Shoe stores based predominantly on the highstreet in the north of England and Scotland. JJB plans to convert some of itssmaller high street JJB stores into Original Shoe Company stores. The OriginalShoe Company will be run as a separate division of JJB, although it will shareJJB's buying, financing and marketing functions. Commenting on the acquisition, Chris Ronnie, Chief Executive of JJB said: "The aspirational and lifestyle end of the market, within which the OriginalShoe Company operates, offers us opportunities and will allow us to access newcustomers and compete more effectively with other players in this area, such asJD, without diluting JJB's strategy of being 'Serious about Sport.'" For further information please contact: - Lydia Pretzlik 020 7379 5151Charlotte WalshMaitland This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange