JD Sports today reported an 18.7% rise in first-half earnings, as demand for its sportswear rose and it expanded overseas, helping it overpower what it called "retail challenges" in its UK home market.
The UK's biggest sportswear retailer has been looking abroad to boost profit this year.
It opened 39 stores in Europe and Asia and bought US-chain Finish Line as it worried over the impact on UK consumer sentiment of slow wage growth and next year's planned exit from the European Union.
Overall revenue at the firm grew 35% in the 26 weeks to August 4 compared to the equivalent period a year ago, with like-for-like store sales up 3%.
It said sales in the second half had continued at similar levels to the first half.
"Against a backdrop of widely reported retail challenges in the UK, it is extremely reassuring that the profitability in the UK and Ireland Sports Fascias has been further enhanced," the company said in the half-year report.
"We are well positioned to deliver an outturn in line with current market expectations which, including a part year from Finish Line, range from £337m to £345m," it added.
While UK retailers have been hard hit by lower consumer spending, JD Sports has fared well, partly owing to growth in "athleisure" - sportswear worn when not playing sport.
By market capitalisation, it is more than twice the size of rival Sports Direct and now operates roughly 1,500 stores in 16 countries - including Ireland.
The company said its profit before tax rose to £121.9m for the 26 weeks ended August 4, from £102.7m reported a year earlier.
Revenue rose to £1.85 billion for the six-month period.
Finish Line, bought for $558m in March, contributed revenue of £180m and a profit before tax of £3.5m to the first half results.
