Hibbett Sports, Inc. expects to report a mid-single-digit comparable store sales decrease for the fourth quarter. Earnings per diluted share for the fiscal fourth quarter are expected to be approximately 20 cents to 26 cents compared with 39 cents in the prior-year 14-week period. The company expects to open 43 new stores in the fourth quarter, which would bring the store total to 692 by fiscal year end.
The company had previously expected to report earnings per diluted share of 36 cents to 44 cents with a low-single-digit comparable store sales increase on a calendar basis and a mid-single-digit increase in comparable store sales on a fiscal basis.
Comparable store sales data on a fiscal basis reflects sales for Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open through the 13-week period ending February 2, 2008 and January 27, 2007. Comparable store sales data on a calendar basis reflects sales for our Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open through the 13-week period ending February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007.
