JD Sports profits and sales fall amid ‘strained consumer finances’

Leisurewear firm reports 13.5% decline in profits in six months to 2 August, with sales drop worst in North America

JD Sports has said consumers' wallets are strained" as sales struggled on either side of the Atlantic and the retailer reported a fall in profits.

The company, which sells a range of sports brands including Nike and Adidas, reported a 13.5% fall in adjusted profits to 351m in the six months to 2 August and warned that annual comparable sales will be down compared with its last financial year.