JD Sports Fashion Plc completed the acquisition of Hibbett, Inc. on July 25, 2024, after securing Hibbett stockholder approval and satisfying all remaining closing conditions. The strategic rationale is strongly anchored in JD’s North American expansion ambitions. Hibbett brings a nationwide, mall‑led store footprint of 1,169 locations across 36 states, which is highly complementary to JD’s existing community‑focused concepts such as Shoe Palace and DTLR. The deal accelerates JD’s penetration into underserved regions, particularly in the Southeast US, and provides a stronger platform for the rollout of the JD brand via Hibbett’s efficient supply chain and back‑office infrastructure. The combined North American revenue base is expected to reach approximately GBP 4.7 billion on a pro forma basis, raising the region’s share of JD’s group sales from around 32% to 40%. From a value‑creation perspective, the acquisition is expected to be earnings‑accretive from the first full year following closing, with medium‑term cost synergies projected at a minimum of USD 25 million. The retention of Hibbett’s experienced management team, led by President and CEO Michael E. Longo and COO Jared Briskin, supports continuity and operational integration while preserving established relationships with major sportswear brands.

HIBBETT, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2024, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN discount to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).

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