A TWO-YEAR buying spree of JJB stores by rival Sports Direct International has raised competition issues in five areas of the country, said the Office of Fair Trading.

The findings emerged after the OFT rolled several acquisitions of JJB stores by Sports Direct into a single investigation covering 31 outlets.

The OFT said it was considering an offer by Sports Direct to sell stores in the five areas.

The firm has pledged to offload stores to up-front buyers approved by the OFT.

Sports Direct has more than 350 outlets, while JJB has cut its portfolio to 253 stores after a major disposal and closure programme.

The investigation found competition concerns in five local areas where Sports Direct already has existing stores.