Sports retailer announces closure of 175 underperforming stores nationwide

JD Sports plans to shut about 175 Hibbett stores in the U.S. over the next three years so it can concentrate on fewer, higher-performing locations - (Getty Images/iStock)

JD Sports is planning to close about 175 Hibbett stores across the U.S. over the next three years to focus on fewer, more profitable locations.

The British retailer bought Hibbett, an Alabama-based sporting goods chain, for about $1.1 billion in 2024 as part of its push to rapidly expand in North America and strengthen its position in the fast-growing sneaker and sportswear market. At the time, Hibbett operated nearly 1,200 stores across the U.S., with a heavy focus on smaller Southeast markets.