JD Sports Fashion Plc (LON:JD), which brands itself as “the leading retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands”, has released an update on the companies performance following the Christmas trading period.

In the report the group said it was pleased to report that “trading in the critical Christmas period has remained very positive overall” following its positive trading update released on 3 December 2015. Highlights included store sales “in all the core Sports Fashion fascias, including those in Europe, increasing by 10.6% in the five weeks to 2 January 2016”.

The company said given the continued strength in the core Sports Fashion fascias, the Board expects the headline profit before tax and exceptional items for the current financial year to exceed the current consensus of market expectations (£136m) by up to 10%.

Peter Cowgill, the Executive Chairman of JD Sports, commented:

“I am delighted to report that the exceptional performance in the year to date has continued during the key Christmas period. This is particularly pleasing given the very strong comparatives in the core Sports Fashion fascias in the prior two years. This performance particularly reflects the increasing strength of the JD Fascia and our continuing commitment to delivering a unique and often exclusive sports and fashion premium brand offer which enthuses and excites both customers and suppliers.

I would like to thank everybody involved in delivering this excellent performance.”