The British Invasion: Third Acquisition Targets U.S. Sneaker Market

The U.K.’s largest sports apparel retailer has ramped up its presence in the U.S. sneaker market with the $495 million acquisition of Baltimore-based sportswear company DTLR Villa.

The deal is the third inked in the U.S. by JD Sports as it stakes its claim in the North American market – backed by major brands such as Adidas and Nike - and comes just a few weeks after JD Sports bought California-based Shoe Palace, as it gears up to expand its interests in the north and east of the U.S.

JD Sports also acquired Finish Line of Indianapolis in 2018 and the company opened its first five U.S. stores under the JD brand the same year before launching a spectacular 32,000 sq ft flagship outlet in New York’s Times Square on October 19 last year. At 26%, the U.S. already represents over a quarter of global revenue, matching sales across Europe.

Despite store lockdowns in its domestic market, the sportswear group has maintained its sales performance thanks in part to the growth of the casual leisurewear sector amid multiple lockdowns that have largely kept people at home.

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