Sportswear retailer, Sports Direct have acquired an 11% stake in French Connection, as owner Mike Ashley seems to have made a strategical move to capitalise on the clothing retailer’s falling trade. Once news of the move by Sports Direct was announced, shares fell by 5 per cent, possibly due to the negative press surrounding the business with regards to its company practices at the moment. Representatives of French Connection stated that, they “see this investment as a vote of confidence in the true potential of our company”, however there has been no announcement from Sports Direct on to their intentions in the move.