Pre-close Trading Statement

4 Feb 2009 07:00



4 February 2009

JD Sports Fashion PLC

Pre-Close Trading Statement

Following the trading update on 9 January 2009, where we reported a positive sales performance for the Christmas period, management prudently anticipated that given the current general retail environment negative sales would prevail in the early part of the calendar year 2009. The Board are pleased to report that the positive sales uplift reported for the Christmas trading period has in fact been sustained during January. As a consequence Management confidently expects that the Group's profit before tax and exceptional items for the year ended 31 January 2009 will marginally exceed current market expectations.

The Group will make its Preliminary Results announcement for the year ending 31 January 2009 on 8 April 2009. 

Enquiries:

JD Sports Fashion Plc  Tel: 0161 767 1695

Peter Cowgill, Executive Chairman

Barry Bown, Chief Executive

Brian Small, Finance Director

Hogarth Partnership Limited  Tel: 020 7357 9477

Andrew Jaques

Barnaby Fry

Ian Payne