JD Sports has announced that it will return £200m to shareholders via a share buyback scheme.

The programme will commence immediately and initially involve the purchase of ordinary shares of £0.0005 each in the sportswear retailer, with an aggregate value of up to £100m.

This first tranche is expected to complete no later than the close of the company’s H1 period in FY27, on 31 July 2026. The retailer then intends to enter arrangements to commence the second tranche of the programme in the sum of up to £100m.

Shares acquired as part of the programme will be sold on to JD Sports and either be cancelled or held in treasury. The company said the purpose of the buyback is to reduce its share capital.

In January, JD Sports announced that it had met its full-year profit guidance, despite reporting a volatile consumer backdrop over the Christmas period. The retailer’s trading statement revealed it was targeting free cash flow guidance of £400m for the year.

JD Sports, which is listed on the FTSE 100, has seen its share price increase by more than 3% since it announced the plans.

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