Published Monday, 01 October 2012
Only three stores will be retained in Northern Ireland. (© Getty)
It is thought approximately 154 staff will lose their jobs as a result of the move.
Part of the business has been sold to Sports Direct but only three stores are to be saved- in Antrim, Lisburn and Londonderry.
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said the news was disappointing.
"Sadly it looks likely that a big part of JJB Sports will be joining the ever growing list of retailers having to close their doors as a result of this recession and changing shopping patterns," he said.
"Every retailer who closes is a loss to surrounding retailers footfall in retail parks and town centres. In 2011 over a thousand independent traders in Northern Ireland closed and we are worried that this trend could double in 2012."
"NIIRTA will be continuing to engage with Governments at Stormont and Westminster on our recent report Town Centre First which sets out fifty solutions in which a reinvented retail sector and 21st Century town centres could be created."
He added: "The key challenge is to boost consumer demand and get people spending again otherwise JJB will not be the last retailer to close"