JD Sports has announced record results after annual pre-tax profit rose 57%. In the 12 months to January 30th, revenue rose to £1.82 billion from £1.52 billion the previous year, in a “very pleasing” performance.

Sports fashion saw like-for-like sales growth of over 10% for the second consecutive year, whilst the group’s outdoor division which includes Blacks and Millets, reduced its operating loss before exceptional items to £4 million from £7.1 million the previous year.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman, said: "I am delighted to report that the Group has delivered another very strong set of results for the year to 30 January 2016 with the headline profit before tax and exceptional items increased by 57% to £157.1 million. Given that last year's result was a record for our Group then the performance in the year was very pleasing, further demonstrating the increasing influence of the JD fascia in the UK and beyond.

"During the year we have expanded our international presence with additional stores in existing European territories together with a number of stores in new countries. We continue to gain traction in Europe and are confident of the opportunities that exist for the JD fascia in these markets.
"We are encouraged by the continued positive trading across our core fascias in the year to date and the Board continues to believe that the Group is very well positioned for profitable growth.”