Sports Direct reports strong sales growth The company released a pre-close trading update this morning, showing that sales were up 18pc to £402.7m over the nine weeks to September 30. Gross profit rose 21.7pc to £167.4m over the same period. Reports last month suggested that Sports Direct would buy 60 stores from debt-laden rival JJB Sports in a transaction that will safeguard up to 1,500 jobs. It was expected to pay about £30m for the 60 stores. Dave Forsey, chief executive of Sports Direct, said: "The group has continued to deliver strong growth through the second quarter, especially within the UK Sports Retail division where sales and margins benefited from the London Olympics and an excellent 'back to school' period. "Since the end of September trading has remained equally strong and the board is therefore confident of reaching the full year targeted "super stretch" underlying EBITDA of £270m (before the charge for the bonus share schemes)." The company will announce interim results for the half-year ending October 28 on December 13.