Hibbett to double DC size

Regional sporting goods chain Hibbett Sports plans to begin construction this fall on a new distribution facility that will support more than 2,000 stores.



Hibbett on Monday announced plans to build, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a wholesaling and logistics facility in Alabaster, Alabama. Construction on the new 360,000-square-foot facility is expected to commence in fall 2012 with the facility expected to be fully operational by fall 2014. Located on approximately 60 acres of land adjacent to Shelby County Airport and I-65, the new facility can be expanded up to 500,000 square feet. When completed, it will replace the company’s existing 180,000-square-foot facility in Birmingham.



“The current facility has supported our growth from 67 stores to 835 stores at the end of the first quarter,” said Jeff Rosenthal, president and CEO. “With the ability to expand up to 500,000 square feet, the new wholesaling and logistics facility will be capable of supporting in excess of 2,000 stores and will enable us to continue growing in small markets where we are needed by communities, consumers, landlords and vendors.” |



Hibbett Sports operates sporting goods stores in small to mid-sized markets, predominately in the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and the lower Midwest regions of the United States. The company’s primary store format is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000-square-foot store located in strip centers and enclosed malls.