Hopes raised as JJB confirms talks

Ailing retailer JJB Sports today confirmed it was holding talks after receiving offers from “a number” of potential suitors as it seeks to secure the future of the firm.

But the Wigan-based group, which employs 4,000 staff, reiterated its warning that shareholders – who include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – were likely to see their stakes wiped out under any rescue deal.