JD Sports circles Missguided for possible takeover bid

The sportswear retailer is said to be among a small number of parties in talks with Missguided about taking up a stake.

According to Sky News, talks between the two businesses are ongoing, but JD Sports’ proposal is understood to involve a controlling stake. However, it is not clear whether Missguided founder Nitin Passi wants to retain majority ownership.

Missguided is being advised by Rothschild on a possible deal, the outcome of which would involve an injection of tens of millions of pounds into the online retailer.

JD Sports has been on the acquisition trail in a bid to diversify its portfolio in recent months. The retailer has previously mulled bids on fashion operators including Topshop and Debenhams, and it acquired a controlling stake in fast fashion etailer Missy Empire in June as well as a stake in gym operator Gym King.

The retailer’s acquisition of Footasylum has also been faced with another hurdle this month as the Competition and Markets Authority provisionally ruled against the deal for a second time.

JD Sports also appointed former Nike executive Bert Hoyt as a non-executive director today.