Hibbett Sports Shuts Down 175 Stores as Parent Company JD Sports Implements Cost-Cutting Measures

Hibbett Sports is set to close 175 stores across the United States over the next three years. This decision comes as its parent company, JD Sports, aims to reorganize its retail footprint.

In 2024, JD Sports acquired Hibbett for approximately $1.1 billion, a move intended to bolster JD’s presence in the North American footwear market. At the time of the acquisition, Hibbett operated 1,169 stores in 36 states, as noted in the press release announcing the deal.

As part of a broader cost-cutting strategy, the company is now taking steps to reduce its store count. This initiative aligns with JD Sports’ focus on optimizing its retail operations.

POPULAR CONVENIENCE STORE CHAIN TO CLOSE HUNDREDS OF STORES

JD Sports will close about 175 Hibbett Sports stores over the next three years, the company said. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During JD Sports’ fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Regis Schultz emphasized that the company’s “second key strategic initiative is driving store productivity and optimization of our store estate.” He noted that the net store movement last year resulted in a reduction of 39 stores, reflecting a strategy focused on fewer, larger, and more efficient locations.

Schultz further stated, “In North America, we will leverage group best practices to optimize EBIT store footprint and profitability. As part of this, we will close around 170 underperforming EBIT stores over the next three years.”

According to JD Sports, at the beginning of its fiscal year in February 2025, there were 999 Hibbett stores. By the end of the fiscal year in January 2026, that number had decreased to 982 as the company consolidated its operations following the Hibbett acquisition.

JOANN, MACY’S, OTHER STORE CLOSURES PART OF A 274% SPIKE IN RETAIL LAYOFFS IN 2025

JD Sports said it will focus on closing underperforming Hibbett Sports locations. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

JD’s CFO, Dominic Platt, mentioned that the group plans to open around 20 new JD stores and convert between 70 to 80 Finish Line stores into JD locations in North America.

Considering JD Sports’ plans in Europe, the company anticipates that its total store count will “stay broadly flat for the year,” according to Platt.

JD Sports’ stock has seen a decline of about 1.7% year-to-date, although it is approximately 1.8% higher compared to the previous year.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PLANS TO CLOSE SOME FOOT LOCKER STORES

Hibbett was acquired by JD Sports for $1.1 billion in 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This announcement follows similar news from Hibbett’s competitor, Foot Locker, which revealed plans for store closures last November after its $2.4 billion acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods in September 2025.

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While the exact number of Foot Locker locations slated for closure remains unspecified, it is known that nine Dick’s locations closed in 2025, along with approximately 11 Foot Locker-owned stores and four licensed stores.

Hibbett Sports is set to close 175 stores across the United States over the next three years. This decision comes as its parent company, JD Sports, aims to reorganize its retail footprint.

In 2024, JD Sports acquired Hibbett for approximately $1.1 billion, a move intended to bolster JD’s presence in the North American footwear market. At the time of the acquisition, Hibbett operated 1,169 stores in 36 states, as noted in the press release announcing the deal.

As part of a broader cost-cutting strategy, the company is now taking steps to reduce its store count. This initiative aligns with JD Sports’ focus on optimizing its retail operations.

POPULAR CONVENIENCE STORE CHAIN TO CLOSE HUNDREDS OF STORES

JD Sports will close about 175 Hibbett Sports stores over the next three years, the company said. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During JD Sports’ fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Regis Schultz emphasized that the company’s “second key strategic initiative is driving store productivity and optimization of our store estate.” He noted that the net store movement last year resulted in a reduction of 39 stores, reflecting a strategy focused on fewer, larger, and more efficient locations.

Schultz further stated, “In North America, we will leverage group best practices to optimize EBIT store footprint and profitability. As part of this, we will close around 170 underperforming EBIT stores over the next three years.”

According to JD Sports, at the beginning of its fiscal year in February 2025, there were 999 Hibbett stores. By the end of the fiscal year in January 2026, that number had decreased to 982 as the company consolidated its operations following the Hibbett acquisition.

JOANN, MACY’S, OTHER STORE CLOSURES PART OF A 274% SPIKE IN RETAIL LAYOFFS IN 2025

JD Sports said it will focus on closing underperforming Hibbett Sports locations. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

JD’s CFO, Dominic Platt, mentioned that the group plans to open around 20 new JD stores and convert between 70 to 80 Finish Line stores into JD locations in North America.

Considering JD Sports’ plans in Europe, the company anticipates that its total store count will “stay broadly flat for the year,” according to Platt.

JD Sports’ stock has seen a decline of about 1.7% year-to-date, although it is approximately 1.8% higher compared to the previous year.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PLANS TO CLOSE SOME FOOT LOCKER STORES

Hibbett was acquired by JD Sports for $1.1 billion in 2024. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This announcement follows similar news from Hibbett’s competitor, Foot Locker, which revealed plans for store closures last November after its $2.4 billion acquisition by Dick’s Sporting Goods in September 2025.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

While the exact number of Foot Locker locations slated for closure remains unspecified, it is known that nine Dick’s locations closed in 2025, along with approximately 11 Foot Locker-owned stores and four licensed stores.