JJB Sports sales rise despite England World Cup exit

JJB traditionally relies heavily on football tournaments to drive sales

Sales at JJB Sports have soared in recent weeks, despite England's early exit from the World Cup.

Like-for-like sales, which strip out the impact of new store openings, rose 22.3% for the six weeks to 4 July compared with a year ago.

JJB, which sells England replica kits, said that profit margins over the same period had also increased 43.9%.

England lost 4-1 to Germany in the first knock-out stage of the World Cup on 24 June.

JJB came close to going into administration last year but a successful £100m rights issue in October allowed the retailer to pay off its debts.

JJB also revealed that sales at its newly-refitted Slough store had increased by 9% above the company average.