JD Sports Fashion has completed the acquisition of Paris-based sportswear retailer Groupe Courir to strengthen its positions on the European mainland, and in particular in France.

The completion follows “conditional clearance from the European Commission and satisfaction of all other outstanding conditions”.

First announced in May 2023, the price of €520 million (£434 million) is being paid to owner investment firm Equistone Partners Europe through a combination of existing cash and a drawdown on JD‘s revolving credit facility. 

In the year to 31 December 2023, Courir reported revenue of €725.8 million and profit before interest and tax of €50.3m.

JD CEO Régis Schultz said: “The completion of our acquisition of Courir is an exciting milestone for our Complementary Concepts strategy in Europe and we look forward to working with its experienced management team as we deliver on our growth plans.

“This acquisition will broaden the JD Group’s customer reach adding a more female, fashion-conscious and older customer base to complement the group’s core customers.”

He added: “We welcome Courir management into the group and we look forward to working with Pierre Chambaudrie and his team to develop Courir further in Europe.”   

JD Sports said Courir “is a market leader in sneakers in France, which is the largest sneaker market in Europe, and this acquisition reinforces our position within Europe”. 

It operates 323 stores, bannered as Courir across France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Luxembourg. In addition, there are a further 36 stores that trade under franchise agreements as Courir in North West Africa, Middle East and French overseas territories. Further, there are three stores that trade as Naked, an elevated concept for women’s sneakers.

In accordance with the European Commission’s conditional clearance decision, 15 of Courir’s stores in France and all six stores in Portugal will be divested to Snipes during Q1 FY26. These stores will continue to be operated under the Courir banner until divested.

Earlier this year, JD said it would spend up to £3 billion to open as many as 1,750 stores over five years, as Schultz outlined his plans for the retailer to become an athletic leisurewear “powerhouse”.

JD currently trades from over 3,400 stores across 32 territories, including Britain, France, Germany, the US and Australia.