JD Sports lifted by sales growth

Demand for trendy trainers and designer tracksuits helped push up sales at JD Sports stores over the Christmas period, the owner of the retailer said today.

Like-for-like growth in the seven weeksto January 7 grew 4.7%, with the sales of sporty fashions rising 6% to counteract a slump in other stock, the English-based John David group said.

Sales from the 177 Allsports stores, which JD bought in late October and are continuing to trade under the Allsports brand, are not included in the figures.