The sports goods retailer JJB Sports has reported a big jump in profits, and pledged to continue expanding the chain.

The company said it would pursue its strategy of opening more superstores while closing some of its high street outlets.

JJB also shrugged off any worries that the attacks on the US may have triggered a slowdown in spending.

It said current trading was "entirely satisfactory", although it added that it was studying market trends for signs of any slowdown.

Profits up

JJB reported a 65% increase in profits for the six months to the end of July.

Pre-tax profits before goodwill payments rose to �47.2m from �28.6m.

The company also said trading had remained healthy over the past couple of months, with turnover up 8%.

While JJB said it believed the attacks in the US had increased the possibility of an economic slowdown, it said a recession was not "inevitable".

"The recent tragic events in the USA may have an impact upon consumer confidence... however, I am confident that our product ranges together with our superstore opening programme will maintain JJB's strong position within the retail sector" said the company's chairman David Whelan.

Expansion programme

JJB said it was planning to continue its policy of switching away from high street stores to larger and more profitable out-of-town superstores.

It says it plans to open between 30 and 40 such outlets each year, and says it has already found 21 sites for new superstores to be opened in the second half of this year.

The company also announced it is expanding abroad.

In November it will open a shop in Rotterdam and if that succeeds, JJB plans to open more stores in the Netherlands.