JD Sports Fashion appoints new North American CEO and global CMO

UK-based retail giant JD Sports Fashion plc (JD Group) has announced senior appointments to drive its growth strategy in North America and strengthen its global brand presence.

John Mersho has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the JD fascia in North America. Mersho succeeds John Hall, who retired after a four-decade career in retail. Mersho previously served as chief commercial officer for JD North America since 2025. Prior to that, he held the role of CEO at Shoe Palace in 2024, a family-founded business that was acquired by JD Group in 2020. In his new position, Mersho will focus on enhancing the customer omnichannel experience and expanding brand presence across North America.

Simultaneously, Mike Grimes steps into the position of chief marketing officer for JD Group. Having spent nearly 20 years with the business in North America—including roles at Finish Line, Grimes most recently served as CMO for JD North America. In his expanded global role, Grimes will lead long-term brand direction, align international strategy across local markets, and strengthen customer insight capabilities.

Group chief executive officer Régis Schultz highlighted that both executives bring extensive operational expertise and deep market insight, positioning them to accelerate the company’s momentum.

North America remains the largest division for JD Group, generating approximately 38 percent of group sales in financial year 2026, equivalent to nearly 4.80 billion pounds. The region features a network of over 2,500 stores across various fascias, including JD, Hibbett, Shoe Palace, DTLR, and Finish Line. Overall, JD Group operates 4,766 stores in 35 countries worldwide.

The company is hosting an investor field trip from October 13, 2026 to October 15, 2026 in Florida, where regional leadership will present further progress on its North American operations.