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    JD Sports
    Sportswear retail

    JD Sports

    United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom

    "The home of sport and style"

    Founded 1981 Bury, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
    Community

    About

    Mike Ashley opened the first store in Bury, Greater Manchester, in 1981 under the name Jays. The retailer rebranded to JD Sports in 2003 as its inventory expanded beyond footwear into full athletic apparel lines. Today the company lists on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker JD and holds a position within the FTSE 100 Index.

    The Pentland Group maintains a controlling interest with approximately 55% ownership, providing capital for international expansion across Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific region. Headquarters remain in Bury while operations include major retail locations in cities like Chicago and new sites planned for West Michigan malls alongside tenants such as Summit Comics.

    Recent corporate shifts occurred in late 2026 when Kath Smith resigned as Senior Independent Director. This departure followed a second top board role change within months and coincided with reports of falling profits due to weak half-year sales figures. Despite these challenges, executives expressed confidence in the recovery of key partners like Nike during September 2026.

    Products & Sub-brands

    NikeJordanAdidasNew BalanceASICSPumaJD FORWARD campaign

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who owns JD Sports?
    The Pentland Group holds approximately 55% of the company, while the remaining shares trade publicly on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker JD.
    What does JD stand for?
    The name originated from "Jays," the original store name given by founder Mike Ashley. It was shortened to JD in 2003 to reflect the brand's evolution into a broader sports-fashion retailer.
    Does JD Sports sell real Nikes?
    Yes, JD Sports is an authorized retailer for Nike and other major brands, guaranteeing that all products sold are authentic rather than grey-market goods.
    Is JD Sports cheap?
    The retailer operates at a mid-to-premium price point similar to other major sportswear stores. While discounts occur, the core strategy focuses on full-retail value rather than discount outlet pricing.
    Is JD Sports still in business and growing?
    The company remains a FTSE 100 constituent with active global operations. Despite recent profit dips and board changes in 2026, it continues opening new physical stores and investing in digital tools.

    Keywords

    sportswearsneakersathletic apparelstreetwearretailLondon Stock ExchangeFTSE 100Mike AshleyPentland Group

    Sources

    WikipediaOfficial WebsiteWWDReutersWall Street Journal

    Company Info

    Founded
    1981
    Founder
    Mike Ashley
    Headquarters
    Bury, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
    Industry
    Sportswear retail
    Parent Company
    Pentland Group (majority owner)
    Original Name
    Jays
    Rebrand Year
    2003
    Stock Ticker
    JD
    Major Shareholder
    Pentland Group (55%)
    Board Change
    Kath Smith resigned October 2026
    Technology Partner
    Braze

    Official Website

    www.jdsports.com/

    Links

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