Retailer JD Sports has announced a “record result” for the half year, with group profit before tax and exceptional items doubled.

Performance in the UK and European sports fascias saw “encouraging progress” but the fashion division, including Scotts and Bank, “continued to disappoint”.

In a statement, Peter Cowgill, executive chairman, said: "The group has delivered record results for the first half with encouraging progress in the principal areas of the business, notably our UK and European Sports fascias. I am also pleased with the positive progress in our Outdoor business, particularly since the move to our central facilities was only completed in July last year. Fashion continues to disappoint, albeit trading more positively in the second quarter. The second half of the year is traditionally stronger for the Fashion fascias.

"Our sports operations continue to provide the engine for profit growth and cash generation in the Group and will therefore continue to be the primary focus of investment.

"The board recognises the demanding comparatives of the second half of the last financial year, particularly in the core UK and Ireland Sports fascias where like for like sales increased by 11.2%, as well as our significant dependence on Christmas trading but following the robust performance of the business in the first half believes that the group is well positioned to deliver results towards the upper end of current market expectations."