// JD Sports reveals new flagship plan for Belfast city centre
// The retailer has invested £2m in new store
// The store will be in close proximity to rival Sports Direct
JD Sports is reportedly planning for a new £2 million flagship store close to rival Sports Direct in Belfast’s Castle Place.
The project, which will launch at the former DV8 store site, will increase competition between JD Sports and Sports Direct, and boost the high street after it was affected by last year’s Primark fire, after 14 nearby businesses were unable to trade for months.
The flagship will not be finished until autumn next year, Belfast Telegraph reported.
READ MORE:
- Sports Direct hits out at CMA over “incorrect” JD Sports-Footasylum data
- JD Sports responds to CMA’s probe into £90m Footasylum acquisition
There are already two JD Sports in the city centre, at Donegall Place and Victoria Square, and it remains uncertain whether either are due for closure as a result of the new opening.
In March, it was revealed that JD Sports will acquire rival sportswear retailer Footasylum in a deal worth up to £90 million, and in April, the deal was given the green light by the majority of its shareholders.
The resulted in rival Sports Direct criticising the CMA over “inaccurate estimates” in its investigation into the takeover.
In a statement published on the London Stock Exchange in October, Sports Direct’s Mike Ashley said he disagreed with the CMA’s market share data.
The rivalry between Sports Direct and JD Sports has heated up over access to brands such as Nike and Adidas. Earlier this year, Sports Direct claimed JD’s takeover of Footasylum could restrict its access to top sports brands.
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