Leisure chain JD Sports said that it pocketed profits worth £14.2 million before tax and exceptional items in the six-month period ended August 1, representing an increase of 14.5 per cent.

Total sales at the fashion retailer soared to £324 million, up 8.4 per cent. Group also witnessed a rise of 0.7 per cent in its like-for-like sales.

Sales at group's fashion fascias, Bank and Scotts soared by 3.1 per cent as compared with 0.3 per cent increase reported by its sports fascias.

JD Sports' gross margin stood at 48.2 per cent.

The Bury-based company, which previous month acquired the European arm of the Rugby shirt firm Canterbury, said it would be looking further opportunities to expand by buying other businesses.

However, JD Sports' CEO Peter Cowgill further added, "With challenging conditions for the consumer continuing, the result for the full year remains very dependent on the sales and margin performance in December and January."

JD declared an interim dividend of 3.3p-a-share, up 6.5 per cent from pervious year.