Is JD Sports poised to export Chav fashion to France?

Speculation is rising in the retail trade that the hoodies-to-trainers group is bidding for French sports retailer Chausport.

Executive chairman Peter Cowgill is known to be keen on expanding the business but it was assumed his ambitions were limited to the UK.

JD, which has been one of the High Street's few winners in the last two years, is seen as a possible bidder for rival JJB Sports. But its first move could be overseas, according to Retail Week.

It reports that Cowgill is in talks about acquiring the 81-store Chausport.

Cowgill would not comment on this deal, but told the weekly: "We have been looking at international economies for some time."

JD's arrival in a sophisticated fashion centre like France might seem unlikely but demand for faux sports gear seems to be growing the world over. Chausport mostly sells shoes, including those from Nike, Puma and Converse. It had sales of £45 million in 2007.

JD made profit in the year to the end of January of £54million, a rise of 24%.