The owner of the JD Sports chain today said it had bucked tough high street conditions to deliver improved sales in recent trading.

Marks & Spencer added to the retail blues in the UK this week after its Christmas sales disappointment, but it was not all doom and gloom in a mixed week for the sector.

The owner of retail chain JD Sports continued to defy expectations today after it revealed “pleasingly positive” Christmas sales figures.

Sportswear retailer JJB Sports unveiled a £5m (€7m) deal with rival Sports Direct for ownership of the Original Shoe Company today.

JD Sports parent John David Group today said it had snapped up branded fashion wear chain Bank Stores in a deal worth up to £19.5m (€27.1m).

The owner of retail chain JD Sports turned up the pressure on its rivals today by forecasting annual profits above market expectations.

A profits warning from Currys owner DSG International weighed on retailers today and pushed blue-chip stocks into negative territory.

The retail sector was on the back foot today after a profits warning from Currys owner DSG International impacted the sector.

UK retail chain JJB Sports today pledged to cut its reliance on major football tournaments as it reported a halving of interim profits.

Swings in US sentiment played on the Footsie today as London's blue-chips made modest gains on a rollercoaster day.

Wall Street optimism and strong results from blue-chips have helped the London market drive forward.

Sports goods retailer John David Group today said its new financial year had got off to a fast start after like-for-like sales jumped 7.5%.

The owner of JD Sports said today it was back in the black after seeing “encouraging progress” at its sports stores division.

The owner of UK sports goods firm JD Sports was today rewarded for its decision to focus more on sportswear after it reported higher profits and sales than a year ago.

Retailers led the FTSE 100 Index into negative territory today as an update from the UK’s biggest grocer failed to inspire investors.

The biggest takeover of a UK company for five years and a rush of other bid activity drove the FTSE 100 Index beyond the 5300 barrier today.

The owner of JD Sports today bought troubled rival Allsports for £18m (€26.5m).

An agreed offer for mobile phone giant O2 led a dramatic morning of takeover activity which sent the London market soaring today.

The FTSE 100 Index suffered its heaviest daily fall since the July terrorist attacks today as investors fretted over losses in New York.

The London market was left reeling today after heavy losses in New York and a string of broker downgrades at home hit sentiment.

The owner of the JD Sports chain today said it managed to grow sales over the past month despite slowing spending and the impact of the London bombings.

Optimism in the commodities markets kept London stocks firmly in the black today.

The FTSE 100 Index ended Wednesday in the doldrums after a poor start on Wall Street compounded the gloom in London.

Relief at a stronger-than-expected trading statement from retailer Dixons failed to keep the London market in positive territory today.

Britain's JD Sports owner John David Group today pledged to close more under-performing stores as it battles to get into shape after the acquisition of First Sport.

Weakness in shares of advertising giant WPP added to ongoing oil price worries today as the the FTSE 100 Index dipped into negative territory.

The London market failed to hold on to early gains today as further record oil prices hampered its progress.

Retailers were among those hampering the performance of the London market today after data revealed sales slowed for the first time in more than a year.

Positive momentum from across the Atlantic was helping the London market make strong progress today.

Takeover talk surrounded the JD Sports chain today after its founder slashed his shareholding nearly in half.

The FTSE 100 Index finished clear of the 4300 barrier today as strong US economic figures drove stock markets around the world higher.