JJB Sports sales slump slows

SPORTSWEAR firm JJB Sports said like-for-like sales have fallen in the last three months, but at a slower rate than previously.

The company's like-for-like sales dipped 1.2 per cent in the 12 weeks to July 20 – a less dramatic drop than the 5.3 per cent decline reported in May.

Sales at the group's stores, which include seven branches in the Capital, were down two per cent, but the overall figure was helped by a 5.9 per cent improvement at its clubs.

In a statement, the firm said: "JJB's health clubs, with their strong value-for-money offering, have seen continued positive revenue and gross margins, and have only been slightly affected by the current economic situation."

In its stores, the firm has looked to offset its reliance on replica kits by increasing the proportion of "own brand products".