Expanding Global Presence in Athleisure Market

  • JD Sports Fashion acquires US brand Finish Line for $558m (£396m
  • Finish Line is one of the largest retailers of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories in the US with 556 branded stores across 44 states
  • JD Sports aims to expand its market-leading elevated proposition in the global athleisure market
  • Acquisition funded by new revolving credit facility for JD and asset backed lending facility against Finish Line’s inventory and receivables
  • Completion expected no earlier than June 2018

Fashion retailer JD Sports Fashion is set to acquire US retailer The Finish Line for £396m. Finish Line, a major player in the US athletic footwear and apparel market, operates 556 branded stores across 44 states and serves as Macy’s exclusive athletic shoes retailer online and in-store. JD Sports aims to expand its market-leading multi-brand proposition in the global athleisure market through this acquisition, which will increase their global scale. The deal is funded by a new revolving credit facility for JD and an asset backed lending facility secured against Finish Line’s inventory and receivables. Completion is expected no earlier than June 2018.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the acquisition of Finish Line by JD Sports Fashion, including details about Finish Line’s operations and the benefits of the partnership. It also includes quotes from executives of both companies and a timeline for completion.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about a business acquisition and includes quotes from executives involved in the deal. It does not contain any irrelevant or misleading information, but it is mostly focused on reporting the news without offering much analysis or insight.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: JD Sports Fashion and The Finish Line stocks
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the acquisition of US retailer The Finish Line by JD Sports Fashion, which will impact the stocks of both companies and potentially affect their financial performance.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There are no extreme events mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk