JD has formally acquired Blacks Leisure for £20m from administrator KPMG.
The sportswear retailer said it is evaluating the performance of each store in the coming months to determine the number of stores which will be retained long-term.
JD said: “Following the elimination of any underperforming stores and other cost reduction initiatives we believe the business can be run successfully as independent fascias within the group.”
Chief executive of Blacks, former Tesco boss Julia Reynolds, who joined the outdoor specialist in August, will stay on to lead the retailer.
JD said the acquisition will cause only a “minor reduction” in Blacks earnings in the last few weeks of its financial year, which ends January 28.
It said: “Thereafter, the earnings impact of Blacks will depend on how quickly we can deal with the store portfolio, rejuvenate the offer and realise the necessary cost reductions and synergies.”
JD Sports Fashion executive chairman Peter Cowgill said: “’We are delighted to add another leading multi-branded retail proposition to our portfolio of retail businesses. We believe with the support of JD’s operational disciplines and financial strength, along with the existing Blacks management team, we can restore the Blacks business to a profitable market leading position.”
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