Hibbett Raise Earnings Outlook on 8.1% Sales Increase
Hibbett Sports Inc. raised its earnings outlook for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2009 saying its IT investments were helping it better manage inventory and boost comp store sales despite economic headwinds. The company said net sales rose 8.1% on a 0.4% increase in comp store sales in the third quarter ended Nov. 1...(11/20/2008)

ESPN to Face Quicksilver Trademark Allegations
A federal judge has ruled that ESPN, Inc. must face allegations of Quicksilver, Inc. that its X-Games logo violates Quicksilver’s “Generation X” clothing trademark...(11/20/2008)

Foot Locker Q3 Sales Drop 3.5%
Foot Locker, Inc. reported net income of $24 million, or 16 cents per share, for the third quarter ended Nov. 1, 2008, compared with net loss of $33 million, or 22 cents per share, last year. This year's results included an impairment charge of $3 million, after tax, or 2 cents per share, pursuant to SFAS No. 115, to write down the value of a short-term investment...(11/20/2008)

Profits at Shoe Carnival Drop 38.1%
Shoe Carnival, Inc. reported net earnings in the third quarter fell 38.1% to $2.6 million, or 21 cents a share, from $4.2 million, or 33 cents, a year ago. Sales slid 2.2% to $170.1 million from $173.9 million with comps down 5%...(11/20/2008)

Zumiez Q3 Comps Drop 5.8%, Net Sales Rise 7.9
Zumiez Inc. saw total net sales for the third quarter ended Nov. 1, 2008 increased by 7.9% to $112.2 million from $104.0 million reported in the third quarter ended Nov. 3, 2007. Comparable store sales decreased 5.8% for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to...(11/20/2008)

American's Drive 4.4% Fewer Miles in September
Americans drove 4.4% less, or 10.7 billion fewer vehicle miles traveled (VMT), in September 2008 than September 2007, the eleventh-straight month of declining driving. The bad news, the decline has cost the Highway Trust Fund, the primary source of federal transit funding, $3 billion in fiscal 2008...(11/20/2008)

Holiday Gift Card Sales Expected to Decline
Shoppers’ price-conscious mentality is taking a toll on the season’s most-requested present: gift cards. The National Retail Federation's sixth annual Gift Card Survey found that gift card sales will fall nearly 6% this holiday season to $24.9 billion, down from $26.3 billion last year. Fewer people plan to purchase gift cards this year (53.5% vs. 56.6% last year) and gift card shoppers will...(11/20/2008)