Fleet Feet, Inc. announced that its 61 stores recorded a 19.4% growth in overall sales in 2004 as compared to 2003, surpassing $43 million in revenue. Comparative stores sales in 2004 were up 12.4% over 2003.
“Given the competitive climate in retail in this country-especially in sporting goods-we are extremely pleased with Fleet Feets performance in 2004,” said Fleet Feet President, Jeff Phillips. “Every owner of a Fleet Feet store is intricately involved in the daily operations of his/her business and the care of customers each day. Our continually impressive results prove that our hands-on, customer-focused model is a success.”
Fleet Feet recorded its first ever $4 million month in July 2004, followed by two more record-breaking months in August and September. Of the 10 best sales months in Fleet Feets 28-year history, eight occurred in 2004.
Thirteen new Fleet Feet stores opened for business in 2004 in nine states including five new stores in California. Fleet Feet gained presence in Southern California with the opening of stores in Laguna Niguel and Santa Monica. Stores also opened in Bonney Lake, Wash., and Columbus, Ohio in the fourth quarter. Planned new store openings for the first half of 2005 include Hickory, N.C.; Gaithersburg, Maryland; Stockton, Calif.; Madison, Wis.; and Kailua, Hawaii.
“All of the stores opened in 2004 have been implementing our Person FIT Process with resounding success,” explains Phillips. “We have packaged our breadth and depth of experience in fitting running shoes into our Personal FIT Process. Along with our commitment to superior customer service and community involvement, we are seeing consistent success across the Fleet Feet organization.”
