Why did JD have to sell Footasylum?

Asked by: Dr. Efren Fahey I  |  Last update: March 24, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (2 votes)

JD Sports had to sell Footasylum because the UK's competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), blocked the takeover, ruling the merger would reduce competition, give customers less choice, and lead to worse deals, forcing JD to sell it at a significant loss to Aurelius Group in 2022. The CMA found that combining the two major sportswear retailers would create a near-monopoly, despite JD's arguments about online competition from brands like Nike and Adidas.

Why did JD sell Footasylum?

JD Sports was forced to sell the business after the takeover was blocked by the UK's competition watchdog. It is being bought by private equity firm Aurelius, which owns Lloyds Pharmacy. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had ruled the merger could lead to less choice and a "worse deal" for customers.

Does JD still own Footasylum?

Last August, Footasylum was finally sold to private equity investor Aurelius Group, three years after JD Sports Fashion bought the footwear and sportswear retailer. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had repeatedly blocked JD's takeover as it ruled that the deal could lead to a “reduction in competition”.

What happened to Footasylum?

In August 2022, private equity firm Aurelius bought Footasylum for £37.5m, ending three tumultuous years during which the business was in limbo.

Did JD merge with Footasylum?

Footasylum is an omni-channel retailer of fashion streetwear and sportswear operating across 63 stores in the UK, with a 'hyper-local' approach – seeking to serve the local community. The company was founded in 2005, was acquired by JD Sports in 2019 and is headquartered in Rochdale, UK.

How Peter Cowgill Built JD Sports | Mini Documentary

43 related questions found

What do JD shoes stand for?

In the shoe store JD Sports, the "JD" stands for the initials of its founders, John Wardle and David Makin, who established the first shop in 1981 in Manchester, UK, as John David Sports. The brand grew from a single location to become a major global retailer of sports fashion, sneakers, and apparel. 

How does Footasylum compare to JD Sports?

We found that JD Sports is by far the closest competitor to Footasylum. A very high proportion of Footasylum's customers said that they would shop at JD Sports if they could no longer shop at Footasylum- more than two-thirds of in-store customers (68%) and almost half of online customers of footwear (46%).

Is Sevenstore owned by JD?

Owned by JD sports and launched initially as an ecommerce brand, Sevenstore was an immediate hit, quickly gathering over 2m users. This prompted the decision to turn the successful digital experience into a physical brand space. Working closely with Sevenstore, Start Design created a hybrid retail and event experience.

Who is behind Footasylum?

Footasylum was founded as a sportswear retailer in 2005 by David Makin.

Who did JD buy out?

JD Sports has grown significantly through acquisitions, especially in the U.S. with major purchases like Finish Line (2018), Shoe Palace, DTLR, and most recently Hibbett (2024 for $1.1B), solidifying its position as a dominant global sports fashion retailer and expanding its footprint across North America. In Europe, key buys include Groupe Courir (2023) and Marketing Investment Group, complementing its core JD brand and increasing its market reach.
 

Is JD Sports doing well?

And a look back over the past five years shows JD Sports is going in the wrong direction. As the sportswear retailer emerged from the pandemic, its stock was valued at 23 times earnings. Of concern to shareholders, it's fallen every year since, as the table below shows. Its P/E ratio is currently below seven.

Does Mike Ashley own JD Sports?

He also had a 29.4% stake in Blacks Leisure Group, owner of Millets and Mambo, and in 2005 purchased 9% stake in JJB Sports and 19% stake in JD Sports.

Are JD and Footasylum the same?

Footasylum was purchased by JD Sports in a deal announced in April 2019. Both companies sell sports-related fashion - including clothing and footwear - in stores around the UK and online, through their respective apps and websites.

Who is the CEO of Footasylum?

David Pujolar - Chief Executive Officer at FOOTASYLUM | LinkedIn.

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Who is JD's biggest competitor?

Top 10 JD Sports competitors

  • Passenger.
  • Fanatics.
  • Altitude Sports.
  • MAP Active.
  • Under Armour.
  • Dick's Sporting Goods.
  • Xebio Holdings.
  • Decathlon.

Do JD Sports sell real Jordans?

Yes, JD Sports sells authentic, real Air Jordans, as they are an authorized retailer for Nike and Jordan Brand, offering popular retro releases and new colorways in various sizes. You can find classic models like the Jordan 1, 4, and 6, ensuring you're getting genuine products from a major global sports fashion retailer.
 

Is it safe to buy from Footasylum?

Designer clothes shops like Footasylum that have stores on the high street as well as an online shop means you know the shop is reliable and genuine and trading under a reputable name. If you're buying from a market stall, chances are you'll be buying counterfeit clothing.

Is JD British or American?

JD Sports Fashion plc, commonly known as JD Sports, JD or JD Group is a British multinational sports-fashion retail company based in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The Pentland Group owns 55% of the company.

Why did JJB shut down?

JJB was one of many companies that had undergone major restructuring and change due to the recession and faced a £31.5 million debt, the closure of 95 stores and a possible hostile takeover by one of its top rivals, JD Sports, as of February 2011.

Is JD Sports bigger than Foot Locker?

Yes, JD Sports has become bigger than Foot Locker in North America as of April 2025, according to JD Sports' own reports, with significant revenue growth and market share gains through acquisitions like Hibbett and its own brand growth, while also rivaling Foot Locker for Nike's loyalty programs.