Today in retail: JD Sports tackled over warehouse conditions

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JD Sports has had a great run this year, with profits soaring and a big-hitting acquisition in the form of Go Outdoors.

But Channel 4 today delivered the sportswear retailer a nightmare before Christmas.

A string of potentially damaging allegations have been directed at the firm over claims of harsh staff treatment at its main warehouse.

It includes one stark claim that working conditions are “worse than prison”.

So far JD has rebutted most of the allegations as “simply not true”.

The Bury-based retailer appears keen not to be cast in the same light as its fierce rival Sports Direct.

Unfortunately for JD Sports, MP Iain Wright, who has led the vilification of Sports Direct over similar claims around working conditions, already has his teeth into the issue.

People will be able to judge for themselves this evening when the full report is broadcast on Channel 4 News.

Meanwhile, Boohoo has snapped up a majority share in Pretty Little Thing – the fashion etailer set up by Boohoo founder Mahmud Kamani’s sons – and Dixons Carphone posted an impressive jump in half-year profits.

We also revealed that House of Fraser is losing another senior staff member with the departure of its customer insight director.

Quote of the day

“We are deeply disappointed and concerned by the allegations being made which we believe are misleading and not an accurate reflection of our culture, the vast majority of our people or our standards of practice and procedures.”

JD Sports and Assist Recruitment on Channel 4’s report