JD Sports plans $1bn deal for retail expansion in US

Hibbett, which has about 1,169 stores across 36 US states, will extend JD's breadth in the country.

JD Sports,expects the Euro soccer championships, Paris Olympics, and new styles of trainers and tracksuits to spark life into the lacklustre market. 

JD Sports has proposed to buy American athletic fashion retailer Hibbett for about $1bn (€934m), as the British-owned sportswear retailer looks to expand across the southeastern US.

The deal comes as shares in athletic clothing retailers come under pressure globally after weak outlooks from sports clothing makers such as Nike and Puma. Last month JD's US rival Foot Locker also warned on 2024 profits, though Adidas last week hiked its 2024 forecast on strong demand for the German sportswear giant's sneakers.