NORTH WEST retail giant JJB Sport says it will take a cautious approach to European expansion.

The UK’s number one sports retailer will open its first store in Holland next month and has plans for a second. But it does not plan a rapid launch on to the Continent.

Finance director David Greenwood says too many other UK retailers have expanded too fast, too quickly and regretted it later.

‘‘We won’t rush in. We have the high-street store in Rotterdam which will open next month and we have plans for an outlet in the Hague, but it will not open until 2002.

‘‘We will look for organic growth once we are happy that our concept is working. We may not get it right to start with and have to change what we do to make sure it’s right.’’

The company gave details of its expansion plans as it announced record profits for the six months to July 31. Turnover rose 14 per cent to £347.9m, while profits rocketed 65 per cent from £28.6m to £47.2m.

Tweet