Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation reported that net sales for the fourth quarter ended December 28, 2003 increased 8.5% to $191.8 million from $176.7 million in the same period last year. Same store sales increased 3.6% for the quarter, representing the 32nd consecutive quarter of same store sales increases.

Net sales for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 increased 6.3% to $709.7 million from $667.5 million for fiscal 2002. Same store sales increased 2.2% for fiscal 2003.

Steven G. Miller, Big 5's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are pleased to have achieved our 32nd consecutive quarterly increase in same store sales and to have posted our strongest quarterly comp store sales gain in fiscal year 2003. We realized same store increases in all of our geographical regions and in each of our three major merchandise categories — footwear, apparel and hard goods.”