JD Sports closes Hip stores on Manchester and Leeds high streets
Two branches belonging to a well-known sport-fashion retail chain are preparing to shut their doors on the high street.
JD Sports is axing its Hip stores, with both sites set to close permanently. JD Sports first acquired the Hip brand back in 2014.
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The Manchester Hip outlet on Thomas Street will shut on June 28, while the Leeds branch on the Yorkshire city's Vicar Lane is set to follow at the end of the month, according to Drapers.
Despite its withdrawal from the high street, Hip is expected to continue trading online through its website.
JD Sports was forced to close 24 UK stores earlier this year amid financial uncertainty, yet still operates 4,000 stores worldwide.
The retailer has opted to scale back its operations, cutting underperforming locations in order to concentrate resources on its more successful sites.
Last month, The Mirror reported that JD Sports plans to shut 175 Hibbett stores across the US over the next three years, again with a view to focusing on more profitable outlets.
The British retailer acquired the Hibbett brand in 2024 for $1.1 billion as part of its push to expand its presence in the US market.
Over the past two years, the sporting goods giant has faced stiff competition, not least from Dick's Sporting Goods, which purchased Foot Locker for $2.5 billion.
The company has also recently disclosed a fall in annual earnings.
The brand cited concerns that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could drive up costs and dampen consumer demand, though stressed there had been no "direct exposure" only "heightened uncertainty".
The retailer outlined proposals to reduce its physical store presence in favour of "fewer, bigger and better" outlets.
JD Sports told the Manchester Evening News in May: "Over time, the potential future impacts of heightened uncertainty may contribute to direct cost pressures, including energy and fuel costs across our store and logistics networks, respectively, as well as potential indirect impacts on pricing and consumer demand should input cost inflation emerge."