The U.K.-based retailer’s North American business was a bright spot in the first nine weeks of Q4 through Jan. 3, comping up 1.5% and growing 5.3% on an organic basis, a sequential improvement from Q3’s -1.7% comp. Excluding the remaining 183 standalone Finish Line stores that have not yet been converted to the JD Sports banner, North America comped 4.1% higher. Strong Black Friday sales and a successful delivery of key new product launches were credited with driving growth, despite an overly promotional marketplace.

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