JD Sports was yesterday named Retailer of the Year at the 38th annual Footwear News Achievement Awards in New York, in recognition of the business’ significant growth in the North American market over the past year.
As a leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, JD Sports has expanded its footprint significantly in North America this year, meaning it is now the business’ largest geographic market by revenue.
That has been achieved through “organic openings”, with high-profile stores launching recently in major cities such as Philadelphia and Victoria, British Columbia, as well as the acquisition of US sports fashion retailer Hibbett in July, which added 1,179 stores to JD’s portfolio across the US – particularly the South East.
The group now has more than 2,400 stores across its different fascias in North America.
JD Group CEO, Regis Schulz, was present to accept the award. He said: “This award recognises the incredible story of JD Sports in the US, the largest sportswear market in the world.
“JD launched in North America in 2018, only six years ago, with the acquisition of Finish Line and the idea to elevate the customer experience in the US with new, modern, vibrant stores and a true lifestyle proposition with the best products and brands.
“At the end of 2024, we will have around 2,500 stores and an expected turnover of $6bn in North America. The JD Group family has grown with the addition of our community brands Shoe Place, DTLR, City Gear and Hibbett.
“In six years, JD Group has become the destination for sneakers and athleisure apparel in the US and changed the market. This fantastic story would not have been possible without incredible people, and this award recognises the hard work and the talent of our JD Group people.”
This year, JD Sports also celebrated becoming the first global retail partner for Nike Connected Membership – giving JD’s US and European customers access to select Nike member-only footwear and apparel when they opt to link their JD STATUS and Nike Membership accounts.
The partnership follows the success of JD’s STATUS loyalty programme in the US, which has over five million active members. The retailer says that loyalty members shop twice as regularly with JD as non-loyalty customers.
