Retailer JJB Sports warned of a 20% profits shortfall today after poor weather drove down sales of its summer clothing ranges.

T-shirts, polo shirts and shorts were left hanging on the rails as a string of wet days meant the group was unable to build on strong demand for replica football kits during Euro 2004.

Wigan-based JJB Sports also said it was a victim of strong competition as like-for-like turnover fell 2% during the 29 weeks to August 15. Last month JJB said same-store turnover had been 1.3% lower in the 23 weeks to July 4.

In a trading statement today, JJB said "it no longer believes that the market expectations of its profits for the current financial year can be met".

Analysts had expected the group to post net profits of £88 million, but JJB said the figure for the year would be down 20% on those estimates.

The retailer, which has 448 stores across the country, vowed to press ahead with its store opening programme in spite of its trading woes.

In addition, JJB pledged to expand further into the market for combined health club and superstores, saying its cash flow remained strong.

Friday August 20, 2004