A STRONG sales performance by its sports stores helped Bury-based JD Sports Fashion PLC achieve a surge in revenue and pre-tax profits.

Although the group faced a difficult year in its fashion business, with increased operating losses, there has been a welcomed turnaround in its previously underperforming Blacks and Millets outdoor clothing and equipment stores.

Preliminary results for the 52 weeks ending February 1 show that profit before tax increased five per cent to £57.85 million. Revenue rose by 5.7 per cent to £1.3 billion and the total dividend payable per ordinary share has increased by three per cent to 27.10p.

JD’s sports stores led the way with gross margins maintained and operating profit, before exceptional items, increasing by 20 per cent to £93.4 million. And like-for-like sales for the 52 week period in the UK and Ireland combined core retail fascias rose by 6.7 per cent.

The past year also saw further development of JD’s international offering from additional stores in France and Spain and acquisitions of stores in the Netherlands and Germany.

Encouragingly, Blacks and Millets stores delivered a break even result, before exceptional items, in the second half, compared to a loss of £4.9 million in the same period the previous year.

The difficult year for the group’s fashion division, notably Bank, is illustrated by the fact that operating losses, before exceptional items, increased to £6.4 million compared to the 2013 figure of £1.7 million.

Peter Cowgill, executive chairman, said: “I am delighted to report that our core sports fascias delivered another year of substantial progress. It is particularly pleasing that they have produced a record result in our core markets in the UK and Ireland. These businesses continue to provide the foundation for profit and expansion in the group.

“I am encouraged that the Blacks and Millets business achieved a significant improvement in the second half of the year and we expect continued progress in the new financial year.”

He continued: “The group continues to be well positioned with its retail proposition, increased financial resources and extensive management experience to take advantage of opportunities both in the UK and internationally.”

JD Sports Fashion, which opened its first store in Bury in 1981, has occupied its head office at Hollins Brook Way in Pilsworth since 2002.