Shirt sales set to be hit
TYCOON Mike Ashley counted the cost of England’s Euro 2008 exit today after his Sports World retail empire warned it faced a major blow to earnings.
The chain, which has more than 450 stores in the UK, is among retailers set to miss out on strong pre-tournament demand for replica England shirts.
Sports Direct - owner of Sports World and brands including Dunlop - said underlying earnings for the year to the end of April were now likely to be below the level seen a year earlier.
Kit maker Umbro also said the impact of England’s failure to qualify for next year’s tournament would have some effect on revenues in the current financial year.
The effect on 2008 will be more pronounced due to a substantial reduction in sales volumes for a new England away jersey.
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