Breaking America is fraught with hazards for UK retailers — just ask Tesco, Marks & Spencer or Sainbury’s. All were beaten into retreat. JD Sports’ stateside expansion is built on firmer ground.
Régis Schultz, 54, the new boss of the athleisure retailer, has unveiled fresh plans to increase its rate of expansion across the US and Europe, a strategy that some analysts think could double pre-tax profits to about £2 billion.
Specifically, the FTSE 100 group plans to spend up to £3 billion over the next five years, about 60 per cent of which will be spent on opening 1,750 new shops, with the remainder splashed on improving its digital operations and distribution and logistics. In return, JD reckons rolling out new stores can sustain
