UK-based retail giant JD Sports has been steadily acquiring North American retailers over the last decade. Starting with Finish Line in 2018 for $558 million, JD Sports has since purchased Shoe Palace, Size?, and DTLR. Now it’s set to acquire Hibbett Sports and its 1,169 US stores for a $1.08 billion price tag. The acquisition will further JD Sports’s lead in locations over its biggest rival, Foot Locker, and give it a presence in the American Southeast. If you’re looking at this strategy on the map, it’s clear that JD Sports has targeted retailers with different regional presences. Shoe Palace serves much of the West Coast, while DTLR Villa has a major presence on the East Coast. Size? is based in Canada, so JD Sports looks to be hitting every region to establish itself as the premiere North American footwear and sportswear retailer. Time will tell how this impacts sneaker consumers but expect to see more JD Sports locations in North America.
