JD Sports has confirmed the final store closures for its fashion brand Hip, ending a 40-year presence on the high street. The Manchester store at 63 Thomas Street closed today, and the Leeds branch on Vicar Lane will shut by the end of the month. The Leeds site will be taken over by Size?, another brand owned by JD Sports. Hip will continue as an online-only operation.
History of Hip and Acquisition
Hip originally opened in 1987 in Thorntons Arcade, Leeds, founded by Everton Campbell. JD Sports Fashion acquired the business in 2014 after it sought investment. The closures mark the end of physical retail for the brand.
Broader Store Closure Strategy
The move is part of JD Sports' broader strategy to reduce its physical retail footprint in favor of "fewer, bigger and better shops." Earlier this year, the company shut 24 stores amid declining annual earnings. JD Sports operates over 4,000 outlets globally.
According to a statement to MEN in May, JD Sports cited "heightened uncertainty" from conflicts like the Middle East, which could drive up costs and reduce consumer demand. The company noted no "direct exposure" but acknowledged potential impacts on energy and fuel costs across its store and logistics networks.
Financial Performance
JD Sports now forecasts a pre-tax profit between £750 million and £850 million for the current fiscal year, down from £852 million in the year to the end of January 2026. That figure was a 6.4% decline compared with the previous tax year. Total organic sales for the group, excluding acquisitions, rose 2.1% year on year to £12.66 billion. However, UK organic sales dropped 2.5%, and like-for-like sales fell 3.9%, which JD attributed to a "tough consumer backdrop."
