JD Sports to Close 175 Hibbett Stores in Major North American Retail Restructuring
JD Sports to Close 175 Hibbett Stores in Major North American Retail Restructuring
JD Sports is preparing to close about 175 Hibbett stores across North America over the next three years as part of a major plan to improve store performance, reduce weaker locations, and focus on larger, more profitable retail formats.
The decision follows JD Sports’ 2024 acquisition of Hibbett, a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports fashion retailer, in a deal valued at roughly $1.1 billion. The company said the move is part of a broader effort to reshape its North American business and strengthen its position in the competitive sportswear and sneaker market.
Why JD Sports Is Closing Hibbett Stores
The planned closures mainly target smaller and underperforming Hibbett locations. Company leaders have explained that while some small stores may still generate sales, they often have less flexibility, fewer growth opportunities, and higher pressure when customer traffic slows.
JD Sports is now focusing on a “fewer, bigger, and better” store strategy. This means the company wants to invest more in larger stores that can offer stronger product displays, improved technology, better staffing efficiency, and a more complete shopping experience.
How Many Stores Will Be Affected?
According to reports, about 175 Hibbett stores are expected to close over roughly three years. The restructuring had already started earlier, with JD Sports closing some locations while also opening new stores. FashionUnited reported that the company ended 2025 with 982 Hibbett locations after 61 closures and 44 openings.
This shows that JD Sports is not fully pulling back from the Hibbett brand. Instead, it is adjusting the store network by removing weaker locations and keeping or building stores that better match its long-term strategy.
What This Means for Hibbett Customers
For customers, the biggest impact will likely be store availability in some local markets, especially in smaller communities where Hibbett has traditionally had a strong presence. Some shoppers may need to travel farther to visit a physical store or rely more on online shopping.
However, JD Sports may use this restructuring to improve the customer experience in remaining stores. Larger locations can carry more products, offer broader sneaker and apparel selections, and support stronger brand partnerships with companies such as Nike, Adidas, and Jordan.
Why North America Matters to JD Sports
North America has become one of JD Sports’ most important growth markets. The Hibbett acquisition was designed to expand JD’s reach in the United States, especially in the Southeast, where Hibbett already had a strong footprint. JD Sports said in its original acquisition announcement that Hibbett operated 1,169 stores across 36 U.S. states as of February 2024.
The company also said the deal would strengthen its position in the world’s largest sportswear market and support the wider rollout of JD-branded stores in the U.S.
Retail Strategy: Bigger Stores and Better Productivity
The closures highlight a wider trend in retail: companies are becoming more careful about where they operate physical stores. Instead of keeping every location open, many retailers are choosing fewer stores with stronger sales, better layouts, and higher profit potential.
For JD Sports, larger stores may allow more room for premium sneaker launches, apparel displays, digital tools, and brand-focused shopping areas. This could help the company compete more directly with rivals in the athletic retail market.
Financial Pressure and Market Conditions
JD Sports has reported sales growth, but the company is also facing pressure from softer consumer demand and a competitive retail environment. FashionUnited reported that JD Sports’ annual net sales increased 11.7% to £12.7 billion, while profit before tax and adjusting items fell 7.7% to £852 million.
That mix of rising sales and lower profit helps explain why the company is focusing on efficiency. Closing weaker stores can reduce costs and allow management to put more resources into stores with stronger returns.
Impact on Employees and Local Communities
JD Sports has not publicly listed every store that will close, so the full impact on workers and communities is still unclear. Store closures often affect employees, landlords, nearby businesses, and loyal local shoppers.
In smaller towns, a Hibbett store may be one of the few nearby places to buy athletic shoes, team apparel, and sportswear. If those locations close, local customers may shift to online shopping or competitors.
What Happens Next?
The closures are expected to happen gradually over three years, not all at once. This gives JD Sports time to review leases, study store performance, manage inventory, and decide which markets still make sense for Hibbett.
The company’s next steps will likely include investing in stronger stores, improving online operations, and possibly converting or refreshing selected locations to better fit JD Sports’ broader North American strategy.
Conclusion
JD Sports’ plan to close around 175 Hibbett stores marks a major shift in its North American retail strategy. Rather than expanding at any cost, the company is choosing to focus on store quality, profitability, and long-term growth.
While the decision may disappoint some local shoppers, JD Sports appears to be positioning Hibbett for a leaner and more competitive future. The move reflects a clear retail message: in today’s market, bigger, better-performing stores may matter more than having the largest number of locations.
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