Sports Direct on track to hit targets

Sports Direct International today said robust trading over the Easter holiday had kept it on course to meet its recently improved profits target.

The owner of the Sports World chain added that sales for the nine weeks to March 28 rose 2.9% to £214m (€246.2m), with profits up 7.9% to £76m (€87.5m).

The performance, coupled with strong Easter demand and the start of a likely World Cup-related trading boost, should ensure the company meets its underlying earnings target of £160m (€184.3m) for the year to April 25.

It raised expectations for full-year earnings in February after previously increasing the target from £140m (€161.2m) to £155m (€178.54m) in December.

Chief executive Dave Forsey said: "We continue to be pleased with the strong performance of our retail division, including the growth of internet trading."