Published: February 08, 2011
Hibbett Adjusts Fourth Quarter Expectations on Slower January Sales
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Hibbett Sports, Inc. (NASDAQ/GS: HIBB), a sporting goods retailer, today
announced unaudited sales results and adjusted earnings expectations for
the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended January 29, 2011.
Net sales for the 13-week period ended January 29, 2011, increased 4.0%
to $173.5 million compared with $166.8 million for the 13-week period
ended January 30, 2010. Comparable store sales increased 1.3% for the
quarter. Net sales for fiscal 2011 increased 12.1% to $665.3 million
compared with $593.5 million for fiscal 2010. Comparable store sales
increased 9.8% for fiscal 2011.
Jeff Rosenthal, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "After a
strong start to the quarter, we were disappointed with comparable store
sales in the latter half of January. Factors affecting our sales
performance include a delay in income tax rapid refunds and inclement
weather issues throughout many of our markets. Overall, fiscal 2011 is
on track to be a record year for earnings per share and we exceeded our
new store growth expectations."
Although the year-end closing process is ongoing, the Company now
expects to report earnings of approximately $0.42 to $0.44 per diluted
share for the fourth quarter, which equates to approximately $1.58 to
$1.60 per diluted share for fiscal 2011.
Hibbett will report full results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2011
on March 11, 2011 with a conference call later that morning at 10:00
a.m. ET. The number to call for the live interactive teleconference is
(212) 231-2900. A replay of the conference call will be available until
March 18, 2011, by dialing (402) 977-9140 and entering the
passcode, 21466899.
The Company will also provide an online Web simulcast and rebroadcast of
its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter conference call. The live broadcast of
Hibbett's quarterly conference call will be available online at www.hibbett.com
under Investor Relations, www.streetevents.com
and www.earnings.com
on Friday, March 11, 2011, beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. The online replay
will follow shortly after the call and continue through March 18, 2011.
Hibbett Sports, Inc. operates sporting goods stores in small to
mid-sized markets, predominately in the Southeast, Southwest,
Mid-Atlantic and the lower Midwest regions of the United States. The
Company's primary store format is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000-square-foot
store located in strip centers and enclosed malls.
A WARNING ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain matters
discussed in this press release are "forward looking statements" as that
term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward looking statements address future events, developments or
results and typically use words such as believe, anticipate, expect,
intend, plan, forecast, guidance, outlook, or estimate. For
example, our forward looking statements include statements about
anticipated earnings per diluted share for the fourth quarter and fiscal
year ended January 29, 2011. Such statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially,
including economic conditions, industry trends, merchandise trends,
vendor relationships, customer demand, and competition. For a
discussion of these factors, as well as others which could affect our
business, you should carefully review our Annual Report and other
reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including the "Risk Factors," "Business" and "MD&A" sections
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 26, 2010 and the "MD&A"
section on our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed on June 2, September
8, 2010 and December 6, 2010. In light of these risks and
uncertainties, the future events, developments or results described by
our forward looking statements in this document could turn out to be
materially and adversely different from those we discuss or imply. We
are not obligated to release publicly any revisions to any forward
looking statements contained in this press release to reflect events or
circumstances occurring after the date of this report and you should not
expect us to do so.

Hibbett Sports, Inc.
Gary A. Smith, 205-942-4292
Senior Vice
President & Chief Financial Officer
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