SPORTS Direct's parent firm, Frasers Group, has swung to a bumper profit for the past year and expects this to surge further, despite warning over the cost of living and supply chain pressures.
The Mike Ashley-founded business hailed a strong performance despite a "significant increase" in running costs.
The company, which also runs House of Fraser and Game stores, saw adjusted pre-tax profits jump to £344.8 million for the year to April, compared with a £39.9m loss in the previous year.
Alongside the flagship House of Fraser at Belfast’s Victoria Square and Frasers in Derry’s Foyleside, the group’s Northern Ireland portfolio includes 18 Sports Direct stores and two BrandMax units.
Just three standalone Game stores remain in the north in Craigavon, Belfast and Newtownabbey. but the group now operates six in store Game franchises here within its other retail brands.
The Frasers Group lifted its targets for the current financial year, telling shareholders on Thursday morning that it expects to post an adjusted pre-tax profit of between £450m and £500m over the current financial year.
Nevertheless, the retail giant warned that challenges with supply chains and the increased cost of living "could have an impact on business potential".
Frasers also made fresh calls for the UK Government to overhaul "a fundamentally flawed business rates system".
It came as the group revealed that revenues jumped by 30.9 per cent to £4.75 billion for the year, as it was boosted by the reopening of stores following pandemic restrictions.
Frasers has since started the new financial year under the leadership of new chief executive Michael Murray, after Mr Ashley stepped back into an executive director role.
Mr Murray, the founder's son-in-law, was promoted to the position after leading Frasers' so-called "elevation strategy" as the firm has sought to grow its premium division.
The new boss said: "I am really proud of the record performance we've announced today.
"It's clear that our elevation strategy is working and we are building incredible momentum with new store openings, digital capabilities and deeper brand partnerships across all of our divisions.
"We've got the right strategy, team and determination to keep driving our business from strength to strength."
