JD Sports has hiked its profit guidance after hailing strong customer demand across Christmas and Black Friday. The sportswear retailer hailed its latest figures as an “ extremely robust performance ” in the face of challenges from the pandemic. The group said “ positive ” recent sales demand means it is now expecting to post pre-tax profit of at least ￡875 million for the year to January 29, upgrading its previous target of ￡810 million. Sales in the 22 weeks to January 1 were up 10% on the sam

Boris Johnson will not meet the leader of the Scottish Conservatives as he travels north to promote his levelling up agenda. The Prime Minister is in Scotland on Monday, to announce an agreement with the Scottish Government on the plan to create new green freeports. But with Douglas Ross the leader of the Scottish Tories, among those in the party who have called for Mr Johnson to quit after lockdown parties in Downing Street, there will be no meeting between him and the Prime Minister.I hope thi