Hibbett & City Gear

New York -- Hibbett Sports is on track to open at least 80 new stores in 2015 as strong holiday sales and early tax refunds gave the retailer a boost in the January quarter.

The company posted quarterly earnings of $19.9 million, compared to $16.9 million, in the year-ago period. EPS surged to $0.79 from $0.64. Its sales gained 9.9% to $239.3 million. Same store sales rose 5.4% in the quarter.

Huntsville, Ala. -- GBT Realty Corporation announced even more retail development in northern Alabama with The Shoppes of Albertville.  Just off the heels of two similar projects recently announced in the regional market, GBT is developing an $18 million, 135,000-square foot retail center along Albertville’s primary commercial corridor.  The company acquired the 13.2 acres on Dec. 29 and construction is currently underway.

Hibbett Sports reported relatively flat third quarter same store sales, but the company achieved record new expansion and is prepared to surpass 1,000 units in 2015.

For the third quarter, Hibbett posted profits of $16.9 million, down from $17.3 million in the prior-year quarter. The decline was mainly due to markdowns related to slow selling and aged inventory, the company said.

Hibbett Sports has promoted Jared Briskin to SVP and chief merchant. Briskin replaces Rebecca Jones, who left the company this week.

Birmingham, Ala. – Hibbett Sports Inc. has promoted Jared Briskin to senior VP and chief merchant. Briskin replaces Rebecca Jones, who left the company.

Briskin has been with Hibbett for more than 16 years, starting as a buyer and most recently serving as VP divisional merchandise manager of footwear and equipment.

Birmingham, Ala. -- Hibbett Sports profit in the second quarter declined 21% amid higher store operating, selling and administrative expenses. Net income for the 13-week period ended August 2, 2014, was $8.4 million compared with $10.5 million for the 13-week period ended August 3, 2013
  
Net sales for the quarter increased 4.1% to $193.9 million compared with $186.2 million for the 13-week period ended August 3, 2013. Same-store sales edged up 0.1%.
  

A more cautious consumer led to weaker-than-anticipated traffic at Hibbett in the second quarter, prompting the sporting goods retailer to revise its earnings expectations for the full year.

Net sales for the 13-week period ended August 2 are expected to increase 4.2% to $194 million compared with $186.2 million for the year-ago period. Comparable store sales are expected to increase 0.1% for the quarter.

Flowood, Miss. — Inland Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. has purchased the 187,610-square-foot Dogwood Festival Shopping Center located in Flowood, Mississippi, approximately 10 miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi.

Constructed in 2002, the center is 97.8% leased to 36 tenants, including T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Old Navy, Gap, Men’s Wearhouse, Hibbett Sports and several other national tenants. The property is shadow-anchored by Belk, an upscale department store, which was not acquired.