Foot Locker quickens its pace

Enhanced onmichannel capabilities were among the factors that incoming Foot Locker CEO Dick Johnson cited as contributing to the company’s increase in third quarter profits and same store sales.

Profits for the third quarter climbed to $120 million, or 82 cents per share, compared with profits of $104 million, or 70 cents per share, in the prior-year quarter. Third quarter same store sales increased 6.9% to $1.7 billion this year, compared with sales of $1.6 billion for the prior-year period.

"It will be a tremendous privilege to lead the organization as we leverage our strengths, which include our global scope, our banner differentiation, our omnichannel capabilities, and our people, in pursuit of the exciting opportunities we have identified to grow and improve the business in the near and long term," Johnson said. Johnson is COO and senior vice president at Foot Locker. Current CEO Ken Hicks is retiring next month.

"We are making substantial progress towards our key operational and financial objectives, including net income margin, sales per gross square foot, and return on invested capital. Our banners have strong positions in the athletic marketplace; our financial footing is solid; and we have a depth of talent --- at the store, field, and management levels --- that is second to none," Hicks said.

At the end of the third quarter, Foot Locker operated 3,474 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 46 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea, as well as 27 franchised Runners Point and Sidestep stores in Germany and Switzerland.