JD Sports Fashion PLC announced Wednesday that it has finalized its €520 million ($546 million) acquisition of Groupe Courir SAS, a French footwear retailer, following regulatory approval from the European Commission. The deal, first disclosed in May, overcame competition concerns after JD Sports agreed to divest Courir stores in Portugal and some locations in France to competitor Snipes.

Competition Concerns Addressed

The European Commission approved the acquisition after JD Sports and Courir proposed remedies to maintain competitive balance in the French and Portuguese markets. The sale of the Courir outlets to Snipes will be completed during JD Sports' 2026 financial year, which begins in February 2025. Financial details of the Snipes transaction have not been disclosed.

Margrethe Vestager, European Commissioner for competition policy, emphasized the importance of these measures.

“The divestiture of certain Courir stores to Snipes will preserve competition in these markets, benefiting consumers in terms of prices, quality, and choice,” Vestager said in October when the deal received regulatory approval.

JD Sports completes Courir acquisition : Strategic Expansion

JD Sports' CEO Régis Schultz described the acquisition as a pivotal move in the company's growth strategy.

“The completion of our acquisition of Courir is an exciting milestone for our complementary concepts strategy in Europe,” Schultz said. “This widens our customer appeal, adding a more female, fashion-conscious, and older customer base.”

JD Sports plans to fund the acquisition through cash and its existing credit facilities. Of the total €520 million, €195 million will be allocated to settling Courir’s outstanding debt.

JD Sports completes Courir acquisition : About Courir

Courir operates 323 stores, primarily in Europe, with additional locations in northwest Africa, the Middle East, and French overseas territories. Founded in France, Courir was majority-owned by Equistone Partners Europe, a private equity firm that acquired it in 2018 following its split from Groupe Go Sport SAS. The brand focuses on sneakers and training apparel.

Broader Implications

The acquisition strengthens JD Sports’ presence in Europe, where the company already operates more than 900 stores across 21 countries. The addition of Courir aligns with JD Sports’ strategy to diversify its offerings and target new customer demographics.

Legal Representation

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP advised JD Sports on the deal, with a team led by antitrust and competition experts Alastair Chapman, Jérôme Philippe, and Simon Priddis. Counsel for Courir was not disclosed.