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Sports fashion retailer JD Sports says sales have slowed and the coming Christmas will be tough as consumer confidence ebbs.

The group, which operates 350 outlets in the UK under a range of names, said sales in the 16 weeks to November fell 1.5%.

It said consumer confidence had seen a marked decline since mid September.

But the said that the group was still likely to meet earnings' expectations for the year.

JD Sport, which was heavily targeted in this summer's riots, and also has shops branded Size and Chausport, said: "Performance since 17 September has been impacted by the continuing downward pressures on all elements of discretionary consumer spending and the recent marked decline in consumer confidence.

"Although we anticipate a tough Christmas trading period, our management and staff have a good track record for mobilising effectively through this key time of the year."

Outside the UK, JD Sport operates outlets in France, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.

It also has stores in New Zealand and Australia, where it said the Rugby World Cup had helped its Canterbury business to perform well.