JD Sports – GO Outdoors deal approved by UK competition authority


“I led the GO Outdoors IT function and business change programme through acquisition by JD Sports.”


Financial Times - JD Sports acquires GO OutdoorsFinancial Times: 18 May 2017

The UK’s competition watchdog has given its approval for a tie up between sports retailer JD Sports and outdoor brand Go Outdoors for £112m.

Following announcement of the merger late last year, JD said it had been given “unconditional” approval from the Competition and Markets Authority, which launched an investigation in December over concerns it would reduce choice in the UK market.

Go Outdoors, which sells goods including waterproof clothing, tents and bicycles, has 58 UK stores.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the CMA’s investigation and delighted to welcome Go Outdoors to the JD Group”, said Peter Cowgill, executive chairman at JD.

“Go Outdoors will make an excellent addition to the existing JD Outdoor business and I am confident that it will build upon Blacks’, Millets’ and Tiso’s recent success on the high street and strengthen our consumer proposition within the outdoor sector.”