subject: Jd Sports Bouncing Along Ahead Of The Gloom Experienced By Competitors [print this page] JD Sports and Blacks Leisure, two of the leading clothing outlets reported impressive Christmas trade figures, whereas other outdoor clothing chains on High street actually struggled. JD chairman Peter Cowgill was quoted saying "a 6% increase in sales in the two months before the new year is an incredible result." The fact is, JD Sports is outperforming their competitors, including JJB Sports, because everyone wants to be seen with a JD bag these days. JD Sports also carries designer sportswear such as Nike and Adidas, which also makes it an extremely popular store in which to find quality sportswear.
Market analysts agreed with the statement made by Richard Ratner, Senior Analyst from Seymour Price, when he said, "JD's has for a long time been a standout, because it has what people want. Their running shoes begin at 50 pound, while JJB's top running shoe could command no more than 50 pound right now." People looking for quality and top brand names, can find what they are looking for at JDs.
The leader in outdoors, Blacks Leisure, also bucked the trend with sales in the two months before January 15 jumping 6.2%. New CEO Russell Hardy, who only started at the beginning of the month, said the health benefits outdoor leisure provides is the reason for the stronger figures. Millets, which is owned by the group, sold 10,500 pedometers in the same time.
Tesco's Christmas trade figures proved that, when you know what customers want, you will succeed, and if you don't, business suffers. The good figures were due to heavy discounting by the two retail outlets and a strategy where their stock only sat on display for three months instead of four. Blacks Leisure said their profits would suffer due to heavy discounts at its O'Neal surf shops.
