LONDON, UK: JD Sports Fashion Plc, the leading global retailer of sports, fashion and outdoor brands, has signed an agreement to acquire Hibbett Inc., a company listed on the Nasdaq, for a price of $87.50 per share in cash, implying an equity value of $1,083 million and an enterprise value of $1,109 million.
Régis Schultz, CEO of JD Sports Fashion Plc, said: “We are delighted to announce the proposed acquisition of Hibbett. This acquisition is in line with our strategic priorities and is a very important transaction for our strategic and financial development.
Strategically, it enhances our presence within North America and achieves our objective of strengthening our Complementary Concepts division. Hibbett’s footprint is highly complementary, adding a stronger presence in communities across the southeastern US, where we currently have a limited presence. It will also provide a stronger platform for the rollout of the JD fascia in the US.
Financially, it accelerates our growth plans within the US and is expected to be earnings accretive from year one and before potential synergies are taken into account. It will also strengthen further our key brand partner relationships in the largest sportswear market in the world. Hibbett has a strong and experienced management team who we look forward to working with on this transaction and beyond as we welcome Hibbett into our family of North American retail fascias.”
JD Sports Fashion expects to fund the total consideration payable, and refinance Hibbett’s existing debt, through a combination of existing US cash resources of $300 million and a $1,000 million extension to the Group’s existing bank facilities.
Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Hibbett is a leading sports fashion-inspired retailer with 1,169 stores, as of 3 February 2024, located in communities in 36 states across the US. Its main retail fascias are Hibbett Inc and City Gear.
Mike Longo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hibbett said, “Today’s announcement is a true testament to all that our Hibbett | City Gear teams have built over the years and reinforces the strength of our brands, our close relationships with our vendor partners, and our team of dedicated colleagues across the country.
JD Sports is a well-respected global leader in athletic footwear and fashion that, like us, is committed to the communities and customers it serves. We are thrilled to begin this new chapter with JD Sports, and believe the transaction will enable us to fulfill our customer-oriented mission even more effectively for years to come.”
Hibbett Inc has been serving customers for more than 75 years with convenient locations, personalised customer service and access to leading brands such as Nike, adidas and Jordan across footwear, apparel and accessories. In the 53 weeks ended 3 February 2024, Hibbett generated net sales of $1,728.9 million, EBITDA of $186.0 million and Profit before Tax of $131.6 million. Gross assets on the balance sheet at 3 February 2024 were $909.2 million.
The transaction represents an important strategic milestone for the Group, accelerating its growth plans in North America and aligning with the Group’s stated strategy of enhancing its presence in the world’s biggest and most attractive sportswear market.
On a pro-forma basis, the combined revenues of JD and Hibbett in North America would be approximately £4.7 billion, which would increase North America’s share of Group sales from approximately 32% to approximately 40%.
The transaction also strengthens the Group’s Complementary Concepts division and increases the size of its platform to support the continued rollout of JD in the US. Furthermore, the Transaction will help the Group to continue to strengthen brand partner relationships, allowing the Group to deliver an enhanced proposition to customers.
JD Sports has a strong track record of successful, value-creating acquisitions, and the acquisition of Hibbett will create additional efficiency opportunities in the region. The Transaction is anticipated to be accretive in the first full year of ownership, before benefits from attractive cost synergy opportunities that are expected to be delivered over the medium term. Annual cost synergies are expected to be at least $25 million.
The Group will retain a strong balance sheet position following completion of the Transaction with pro-forma net leverage expected to be (0.2)x5.
Hibbett Inc is run by a very experienced and talented management team, led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Michael E. Longo, and Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Jared S. Briskin. Mike and Jared will continue with the business following completion of the Transaction. Mike Longo has been with Hibbett since 2019 when Hibbett acquired City Gear LLC where he had been Chief Executive Officer since 2006. Jared Briskin was appointed Executive Vice President of Merchandising in 2021 having originally joined the company in 1998.
The Transaction is expected to be completed in H2 2024 and constitutes a Class 2 transaction under the UK Listing Rules.
Baird and Rothschild & Co are acting as financial advisors to the Group, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP as its legal advisor. Solomon Partners Securities, LLC is acting as financial advisor to Hibbett, and Bass, Berry & Sims PLC as its legal advisor.
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