Edgar Filing: HIBBETT SPORTS INC

f09_10k.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended: January 31, 2009

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from: __________________________ to __________________________

Commission file number: 000-20969

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

20-8159608

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

451 Industrial Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35211

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

205-942-4292

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Per Share		NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
Title of Class		Name of each exchange on which registered

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

	Yes	X	No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	X	Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer		Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant (assuming for purposes of this calculation that all executive officers and directors are “affiliates”) was $591,176,198 on August 2, 2008, based on the closing sale price of $20.77 at August 2, 2008 for the common stock on such date on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock, as of March 27, 2009 was 28,560,404.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 28, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or before April 27, 2009.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC.

INDEX

			Page
PART I
Item	1.	Business.	5
Item	1A.	Risk Factors.	9
Item	1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments.	13
Item	2.	Properties.	13
Item	3.	Legal Proceedings.	14
Item	4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.	14

PART II
Item	5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.	15
Item	6.	Selected Consolidated Financial Data.	17
Item	7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	18
Item	7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	27
Item	8.	Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.	28
Item	9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Accounting and Consolidated Financial Disclosure.	48
Item	9A.	Controls and Procedures.	48
Item	9B.	Other Information.	49

Part III
Item	10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.	50
Item	11.	Executive Compensation.	50
Item	12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.	50
Item	13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.	50
Item	14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services.	50

Part IV
Item	15.	Exhibits and Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules.	51
		Signatures.	53

A warning about Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is used in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements address future events, developments and results. They include statements preceded by, followed by or including words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “target” or “estimate.” For example, our forward-looking statements include statements regarding:

our anticipated sales, including comparable store net sales changes, net sales growth and earnings;

our growth, including our plans to add, expand or relocate stores and square footage growth, our markets’ ability to support such growth and the suitability of our distribution facilities;

the possible effect of pending legal actions and other contingencies;

our cash needs, including our ability to fund our future capital expenditures and working capital requirements;

our ability and plans to renew or increase our revolving credit facilities;

our seasonal sales patterns and assumptions concerning customer buying behavior;

our expectations regarding competition;

our ability to renew or replace store leases satisfactorily;

our estimates and assumptions as they relate to preferable tax and financial accounting methods, accruals, inventory valuations, dividends, carrying amount and liquidity of financial instruments and fair value of options and other stock-based compensation as well as our estimates of economic and useful lives of depreciable assets and leases;

our expectations concerning future stock-based award types;

our expectations concerning employee stock option exercise behavior;

the possible effect of inflation, market decline and other economic changes on our costs and profitability, including the impact of changes in fuel costs and a downturn in the retail industry or changes in levels of store traffic;

the possible effects of continued volatility and further deterioration of the capital markets, the commercial and consumer credit environment and the continuation of lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from the global economic downturn, lowered levels of consumer confidence and higher levels of unemployment;

our analyses of trends as related to earnings performance;

our target market presence and its expected impact on our sales growth;

our expectations concerning vendor level purchases and related discounts;

our estimates and assumptions related to income tax liabilities and uncertain tax positions;

the future reliability of, and cost associated with, our sources of supply, particularly imported goods; and

the possible effect of recent accounting pronouncements.

You should assume that the information appearing in this report is accurate only as of the date it was issued. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

For a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our future events, developments or results, you should carefully review the “Risk Factors” described beginning on page 9, as well as “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 18.

Our forward-looking statements could be wrong in light of these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future events, developments or results described in this report could turn out to be materially different. We have no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report and you should not expect us to do so.

Investors should also be aware that while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts and others, we do not, by policy, selectively disclose to them any material non-public information with any statement or report issued by any analyst regardless of the content of the statement or report. We do not, by policy, confirm forecasts or projections issued by others. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

Introductory Note

Unless specifically indicated otherwise, any reference to “2010” or “Fiscal 2010” relates to our year ending January 30, 2010. Any reference to “2009” or “Fiscal 2009” relates to our year ended January 31, 2009. Any reference to “2008” or “Fiscal 2008” relates to our year ended February 2, 2008. Any reference to “2007” or “Fiscal 2007” relates to our year ended February 3, 2007.

PART 1

Item 1. Business.

Our Company

Our Company was originally organized in 1945 under the name Dixie Supply Company in Florence, Alabama, in the marine and small aircraft business. In 1951, the Company started targeting school athletic programs in North Alabama and by the end of the 1950’s had developed a profitable team sales business. In 1960, we sold the marine portion of our business and have been solely in the sporting goods business since that time. In 1965, we opened Dyess & Hibbett Sporting Goods in Huntsville, Alabama, and hired Mickey Newsome, our current Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The next year, we opened another sporting goods store in Birmingham and by the end of 1980, we had 12 stores in central and northwest Alabama with a distribution center located in Birmingham and our central accounting office in Florence. We went public in October 1996 when we had 79 stores and were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc. We incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware as Hibbett Sports, Inc. in January 2007 and on February 10, 2007, Hibbett Sports, Inc. became the successor holding company for Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc., which is now our operating subsidiary.

Today, we are a rapidly-growing operator of sporting goods stores in small to mid-sized markets predominantly in the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest regions of the United States. As of January 31, 2009, we operated 723 Hibbett Sports stores as well as 18 smaller-format Sports Additions athletic shoe stores and 4 larger-format Sports & Co. superstores in 24 states. Over the past two fiscal years, we have increased the number of stores from 613 stores to 745 stores, an increase in store base of approximately 22%. Our primary retail format and growth vehicle is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000 square foot store located primarily in strip centers which are usually influenced by a Wal-Mart store and in enclosed malls.

Although competitors in some markets may carry similar product lines and national brands as our stores, we believe that our stores are typically the primary sporting goods retailers in their markets due to the extensive selection of quality branded merchandise and high level of customer service. Hibbett’s merchandise assortment emphasizes team sports complemented by localized apparel and accessories designed to appeal to a wide range of customers within each individual market.

Available Information

The Company maintains an Internet website at the following address: www.hibbett.com.

We make available free of charge on or through our website under the heading “Investor Information,” certain reports that we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These include our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K. We make this information available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the information with or furnish it to the SEC. In addition to accessing copies of our reports online, you may request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, at no charge, by writing to: Investor Relations, Hibbett Sports, Inc., 451 Industrial Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35211.

Reports filed with or furnished to the SEC are also available free of charge upon request by contacting our corporate office at (205) 942-4292.

The public may also read or copy any materials filed by us with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Information may be obtained on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically at www.sec.gov.

Our Business Strategy

We target markets with county populations that range from 30,000 to 100,000. By targeting these smaller markets, we believe that we achieve important strategic advantages, including many expansion opportunities, comparatively low operating costs and a more limited competitive environment than generally faced in larger markets. In addition, we establish greater customer and vendor recognition as the leading sporting goods retailer in these local communities.

We believe our ability to merchandise to local sporting and community interests differentiates us from our national competitors. This strong regional focus also enables us to achieve significant cost benefits including lower corporate expenses, reduced distribution costs and increased economies of scale from marketing activities. Additionally, we also use sophisticated information systems to maintain tight controls over inventory and operating costs and continually search for ways to improve efficiencies through information system upgrades.

We strive to hire enthusiastic sales people with an interest in sports. Our extensive training program focuses on product knowledge and selling skills and is conducted through the use of in-store clinics, videos, self-study courses, interactive group discussions and “Hibbett University” designed specifically for store management.

Our Store Concepts

Hibbett Sports

Our primary retail format is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000 square foot store located primarily in strip centers which are usually influenced by a Wal-Mart store or in enclosed malls. In considering locations for our Hibbett Sports stores, we take into account the size, demographics and competitive conditions of each market. Of these stores, 524 Hibbett Sports stores are located in strip centers with the remaining 199 stores located in enclosed malls, the majority of which are the only enclosed malls in the county.

Hibbett Sports stores offer a core selection of quality, brand name merchandise with an emphasis on team sports. This merchandise mix is complemented by a selection of localized apparel and accessories designed to appeal to a wide range of customers within each market. We strive to respond quickly to major sporting events of local interest. Such events in Fiscal 2009 included the Florida Gator’s victory in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national championship game as well as the successful seasons of the Tennessee Titans and the University of Alabama.

Sports Additions

Our 18 Sports Additions stores are small, mall-based stores, averaging 2,500 square feet with approximately 90% of merchandise consisting of athletic footwear and the remainder consisting of caps and a limited assortment of apparel. Sports Additions stores offer a broader assortment of athletic footwear, with a greater emphasis on fashion than the athletic footwear assortment offered by our Hibbett Sports stores. All but 4 Sports Additions stores are currently located in malls in which Hibbett Sports stores are also present.

Sports & Co.

We opened 4 Sports & Co. superstores between March 1995 and September 1996. Sports & Co. superstores average 25,000 square feet and offer a broader assortment of athletic footwear, apparel and equipment than our Hibbett Sports stores. Athletic equipment and apparel represent a higher percentage of the overall merchandise mix at Sports & Co. superstores than they do at Hibbett Sports stores. Sports & Co. superstores are designed to project the same in-store atmosphere as our Hibbett Sports stores but on a larger scale. We have no plans to open any superstores in the future.

Team Sales

Hibbett Team Sales, Inc. (Team Sales), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is a leading supplier of customized athletic apparel, equipment and footwear to school, athletic and youth programs primarily in Alabama. Team Sales sells its merchandise directly to educational institutions and youth associations. The operations of Team Sales are independent of the operations of our retail stores. Team Sales does not meet the quantitative or qualitative reporting requirements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131, Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.

Our Expansion Strategy

In Fiscal 1994, we began to accelerate our rate of new store openings to take advantage of the growth opportunities in our target markets. We have currently identified over 350 potential markets for future Hibbett Sports stores generally within the states in which we operate. Our clustered expansion program, which calls for opening new stores within a two-hour driving distance of an existing Hibbett location, allows us to take advantage of efficiencies in distribution, marketing and regional management. We believe our current distribution center can support over 1,200 stores.

In Fiscal 2010, we plan to open 65 to 70 new stores and close 20 to 25 stores while we will also expand approximately 20 stores we feel have significant additional sales potential. This growth plan represents a decline over our historical store opening rates. While we expect to continue to expand, we have found it more difficult in the current economic environment and particularly in the commercial real estate market, to get our stores open at our historical rate of growth.

In evaluating potential markets, we consider population, economic conditions, local competitive dynamics, availability of suitable real estate and proximity to existing Hibbett stores. Our continued growth largely depends on our ability to open new stores in a timely manner, to operate them profitably and to manage them effectively. Additionally, successful expansion is subject to various contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. See “Risk Factors.”

Our Distribution

We maintain a single 220,000 square foot distribution center in Birmingham, Alabama, which services our existing stores. The distribution process is centrally managed from our corporate headquarters, which is located in the same building as the distribution center. We believe strong distribution support for our stores is a critical element of our expansion strategy and is central to our ability to maintain a low cost operating structure.

In addition, we have secured additional warehousing space in Birmingham for new store merchandise accumulation and have made an additional investment in our current distribution center that we believe will support our anticipated growth over the next few years primarily in the states we currently operate. Because of the additional warehousing space and investment in our current distribution center coupled with improved technology and vendor assistance with cross-docking, we believe we can service over 1,200 stores with our current infrastructure in Birmingham.

We receive substantially all of our merchandise at our distribution center. For key products, we maintain backstock at the distribution center that is allocated and distributed to stores through an automatic replenishment program based on items that are sold. Merchandise is typically delivered to stores weekly via Company-operated vehicles.

Our Merchandising Strategy

Our merchandising strategy is to provide a broad assortment of quality brand name footwear, athletic equipment, and apparel at competitive prices in a full service environment. Historically, as well as for Fiscal 2009, our most popular consumer item is athletic footwear, followed by performance and fashion apparel and team sports equipment, ranked according to sales.

We believe that the breadth and depth of our brand name merchandise selection generally exceeds the merchandise selection carried by local independent competitors. Many of these branded products are highly technical and require considerable sales assistance. We coordinate with our vendors to educate the sales staff at the store level on new products and trends.

Although the core merchandise assortment tends to be similar for each Hibbett Sports store, important local or regional differences frequently exist. Accordingly, our stores regularly offer products that reflect preferences for particular sporting activities in each community and local interests in college and professional sports teams. Our knowledge of these interests, combined with access to leading vendors, enables our stores to react quickly to emerging trends or special events, such as college or professional championships.

Our merchandising staff, operations staff and management analyze current sporting goods trends primarily through the gathering and analyzing of daily sales activity available through point-of-sale terminals located in the stores. Other strategic measures we utilize to recognize trends or changes in our industry include:

studying other retailers for best practices in merchandising;

attending various trade shows, both in our industry and outside as well as reviewing industry trade publications;

staying active in industry associations such as the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA);

visiting competitor store locations;

monitoring product selection at competing stores;

maintaining close relationships with vendors and other retailers; and

communicating with our regional vice presidents, district managers and store managers.

The merchandising staff works closely with store personnel to meet the requirements of individual stores for appropriate merchandise in sufficient quantities.

Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing merchandise trends and consumer demand on a store level in a timely manner. See “Risk Factors.”

Our Vendor Relationships

The sporting goods retail business is very brand name driven. Accordingly, we maintain relationships with a number of well-known sporting goods vendors to satisfy customer demand. We believe that our stores are among the primary retail distribution avenues for brand name vendors that seek to penetrate our target markets. As a result, we are able to attract considerable vendor interest and establish long-term partnerships with vendors. As our vendors expand their product lines and grow in popularity, we expand sales and promotions of these products within our stores. In addition, as we continue to increase our store base and enter new markets, our vendors increase their brand presence within these regions. We also emphasize and work with our vendors to establish favorable pricing and to receive cooperative marketing funds. We believe that we maintain good working relationships with our vendors. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, Nike, our largest vendor, represented approximately 51.4% of our total purchases while our next largest vendor represented approximately 8.4% of our total purchases. For the fiscal year ended February 2, 2008, Nike, our largest vendor, represented approximately 48.5% of our total purchases while our next largest vendor represented approximately 9.3% of our total purchases.

The loss of key vendor support could be detrimental to our business, financial condition and results of operations. We believe that we have long-standing and strong relationships with our vendors and that we have adequate sources of brand name merchandise on competitive terms; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to acquire such merchandise at competitive prices or on competitive terms in the future. In this regard, certain merchandise that is high profile and in high demand may be allocated by vendors based upon the vendors’ internal criterion, which is beyond our control. See “Risk Factors.”

Our Advertising and Promotion

We target special advertising opportunities in our markets to increase the effectiveness of our advertising budget. In particular, we prefer advertising in local media as a way to further differentiate Hibbett from national chain competitors. Substantially all of our advertising and promotional spending is centrally directed. Print advertising, including direct mail catalogs and postcards to customers, serves as the foundation of our promotional program and accounted for the majority of our total advertising costs in Fiscal 2009.

Other advertising means, such as television commercials, outdoor billboards, Hibbett trucks, our MVP loyalty program and the Hibbett website, are used to reinforce Hibbett’s name recognition and brand awareness in the community. Our internet marketing program, featuring our MVP loyalty program, has provided an expanded customer database that helps us target the specific needs of our customers. By allowing us to reach and interact with our customers on a regular basis through e-mail, this marketing effort is quickly becoming the most efficient, timely and targeted segment of our marketing program.

Our Competition

The business in which we are engaged is highly competitive. Many of the items we offer in our stores are also sold by local sporting goods stores, athletic footwear and other specialty athletic stores, traditional shoe stores and national and regional sporting goods stores. The marketplace for sporting goods remains highly fragmented as many different retailers compete for market share by utilizing a variety of store formats and merchandising strategies. However, we believe the competitive environment for sporting goods remains different in smaller markets where retail demand may not support larger format stores. In such markets as those targeted by Hibbett, national chains compete by focusing on a specialty category like athletic footwear.

Our stores compete with national chains that focus on athletic footwear, local sporting goods stores, department and discount stores, traditional shoe stores and mass merchandisers. On a limited basis, we have competition from national sporting goods chains in some of our mid-sized markets. Although we face competition from a variety of competitors, including on-line competitors, we believe that our stores are able to compete effectively by being distinguished as sporting goods stores emphasizing team sports and fitness merchandise complemented by a selection of localized apparel and accessories. Our competitors may carry similar product lines and national brands, but we believe the principal competitive factors for all of our stores are service, breadth of merchandise offered, availability of brand names and availability of local merchandise. We believe we compete favorably with respect to these factors in the smaller markets predominantly in the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest regions of the United States. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to continue to compete successfully against existing or future competitors. Expansion into markets served by our competitors, entry of new competitors or expansion of existing competitors into our markets, could be detrimental to our business, financial condition and results of operations. See “Risk Factors.”

Our Trademarks

Our Company, by and through subsidiaries, is the owner or licensee of trademarks that are very important to our business. For the most part, trademarks are valid as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained. Registrations of trademarks can generally be renewed indefinitely as long as the trademarks are in use.

Following is a list of active trademarks registered and owned by the Company:

Hibbett Sports, Registration No. 2717584

Sports Additions, Registration No. 1767761

Hibbett, Registration No. 3275037

Our Employees

As of January 31, 2009, we employed approximately 2,000 full-time and approximately 3,500 part-time employees, none of whom are represented by a labor union. The number of part-time employees fluctuates depending on seasonal needs. We cannot guarantee that our employees will not, in the future, elect to be represented by a union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good and have not experienced significant interruptions of operations due to labor disagreements.

Employee Development. We develop our training programs in a continuing effort to service the needs of our customers and employees. These programs are designed to increase employee knowledge and include video training in all stores for the latest in technical detail of new products and new operational and service techniques. Because we primarily promote or relocate current employees to serve as managers for new stores, training and assessment of our employees is essential to our sustained growth.

We have implemented programs in our stores and corporate offices to ensure that we hire and promote the most qualified employees in a non-discriminatory way. One of the most significant programs we have is Hibbett University or “Hibbett U” which is an intensive, four-day training session held at our corporate offices and designed specifically for store management.

Seasonality

We experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales and results of operations. Customer buying patterns around the spring sales period and the holiday season historically result in higher first and fourth quarter net sales. In addition, our quarterly results of operations may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new store openings, the amount and timing of net sales contributed by new stores, merchandise mix and demand for apparel and accessories driven by local interest in sporting events.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this report, before investing in shares of our common stock. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you might lose all or part of your investment.

An extended downturn in the economy could affect consumer purchases of discretionary items, which could reduce our net sales.

In general, our sales represent discretionary spending by our customers. A further slowdown in the U.S. economy or other economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income, such as employment levels, inflation, business conditions, fuel and energy costs, consumer debt levels, lack of available credit, interest rates and tax rates may adversely affect our business. A reduction in overall consumer spending which causes customers to shift their spending to products other than those sold by us or to products sold by us that are less profitable could result in lower net sales, decreases in inventory turnover or a reduction in profitability due to lower margins.

Increasing volatility in financial markets or additional governmental regulations could cause a greater frequency or higher magnitude of change in many of the factors listed. At this time, we are unable to determine the impact on our customers and our business, if any, of programs adopted by the U.S. government to stabilize and support the economy.

We may be unable to achieve our expansion plans for future growth.

We have grown rapidly primarily through opening new stores, growing from 67 stores at the beginning of Fiscal 1997 to 745 stores at January 31, 2009. We plan to increase our store base by opening 65 to 70 new Hibbett Sports stores while closing 20 to 25 stores in Fiscal 2010. Our continued growth depends, in large part, upon our ability to open new stores in a timely manner and to operate them profitably. Successful expansion is subject to various contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In order to open and operate new stores successfully, we must secure leases on suitable sites with acceptable terms, build-out and equip the stores with furnishings and appropriate merchandise, hire and train personnel and integrate the stores into our operations.

In addition, our expansion strategy may be subject to rising real estate and construction costs, available credit to landlords and developers and landlord bankruptcies that could inhibit our ability to sustain our rate of growth. We may also face new competitive, distribution and merchandising challenges different from those we currently face. We cannot give any assurances that we will be able to continue our expansion plans successfully; that we will be able to achieve results similar to those achieved with prior locations; or that we will be able to continue to manage our growth effectively. Our failure to achieve our expansion plans could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our operating margins may be impacted in periods in which incremental expenses are incurred as a result of new store openings.

The slower pace of our retail store expansion may negatively impact our net sales growth and operating income.

The opening of new retail stores has contributed significantly to our growth in net sales. In light of the challenging economic environment facing retailers and developers, we have made the strategic decision to slow down the pace of our retail store expansion. We expect to increase our overall store base by approximately 6% in Fiscal 2010 compared to 8% in Fiscal 2009 and 12% in Fiscal 2008. The slower pace of our retail store expansion may negatively impact our net sales growth and operating income.

Our estimates concerning long-lived assets and store closures may accelerate.

Our long-term success depends, in part, on our ability to operate stores in a manner that achieves appropriate returns on capital invested. This is particularly challenging in the current economic environment. We will only continue to operate existing stores if they meet required sales or profit levels. In the current macroeconomic environment, the results of our existing stores are impacted not only by a reduced sales environment, but by a number of things that are outside our control, such as the loss of traffic resulting from store closures by significant other retailers in our stores’ immediate vicinity.

The recession, coupled with the volatility in the capital markets, all affect our business and macroeconomic environment and, ultimately, the revenue and profitability of our business. To the extent our estimates for net sales, gross profit and store expenses are not realized, future assessments of recoverability could result in impairment charges. In addition, if we were to close stores, we could be subject to costs and impairment charges that may adversely affect our financial results.

Our stores are concentrated within the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest regions of the United States, which could subject us to regional risks.

Because our stores are located primarily in a concentrated area of the United States, we are subject to regional risks, such as the regional economy, weather conditions and natural disasters such as floods, droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes, increasing costs of electricity, oil and natural gas, as well as, government regulations specific in the states and localities within which we operate. We sell a significant amount of team sports merchandise which can be adversely affected by significant weather events that postpone the start of or shorten sports seasons or that limit participation of fans and sports enthusiasts.

Changes in federal, state or local law, or our failure to comply with such laws, could increase our expenses and expose us to legal risks.

Our business is subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. Significant legislative changes that impact our relationship with our workforce (none of which are represented by unions as of the end of Fiscal 2009) could increase our expenses and adversely affect our operations. Changes in other regulatory areas, such as consumer credit, privacy and information security or product safety, among others, could cause our expenses to increase. In addition, if we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, particularly wage and hour laws, we could be subject to legal risk, including government enforcement action and class action civil litigation, which could adversely affect our results of operations. Changes in tax laws, the interpretation of existing laws, or our failure to sustain our reporting positions on examination could adversely affect our effective tax rate.

From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits, including class action lawsuits brought against us for alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. We may incur losses relating to these claims and, in addition, these proceedings could cause us to incur costs and may require us to devote resources to defend against these claims which could adversely affect our results of operations. For a description of current legal proceedings, see “Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings”.

Unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information that could harm our business and reputation with our consumers.

The protection of Company, customer and employee data is critical to us. We rely on third-party systems, software and monitoring tools to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential customer and employee information such as payment card and personal information. Despite the security measures we and our third-party providers have in place, our data may be vulnerable to security breaches, acts of vandalism, computer viruses, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors, theft or other similar events. Any security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, whether by the Company or its providers, could damage our reputation, expose us to risk of litigation and liability and harm our business.

Our inability to identify, and anticipate changes in consumer demands and preferences and our inability to respond to such consumer demands in a timely manner could reduce our sales.

Our products appeal to a broad range of consumers whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to rapid change. Our success depends on our ability to identify product trends as well as to anticipate and respond to changing merchandise trends and consumer demand in a timely manner. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to offer assortments of products that appeal to our customers or that we will satisfy changing consumer demands in the future. Accordingly, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if:

we are unable to identify and respond to emerging trends, including shifts in the popularity of certain products;

we miscalculate either the market for the merchandise in our stores or our customers’ purchasing habits; or

consumer demand unexpectedly shifts away from athletic footwear or our more profitable apparel lines.

In addition, we may be faced with significant excess inventory of some products and missed opportunities for other products, which could decrease our profitability.

If we lose any of our key vendors or any of our key vendors fail to supply us with merchandise, we may not be able to meet the demand of our customers and our net sales could decline.

Our business is dependent to a significant degree upon close relationships with vendors and our ability to purchase brand name merchandise at competitive prices. In addition, many of our vendors provide us with incentives, such as return privileges, volume purchasing allowances and cooperative advertising. The loss of key vendor support or decline or discontinuation of vendor incentives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to acquire such merchandise at competitive prices or on competitive terms in the future. In this regard, certain merchandise that is in high demand may be allocated by vendors based upon the vendors’ internal criterion which is beyond our control.

A disruption in the flow of imported merchandise or an increase in the cost of those goods may significantly decrease our net sales and operating income.

We believe many of our largest vendors source a substantial majority of their products from China and other foreign countries. Imported goods are generally less expensive than domestic goods and indirectly contribute significantly to our favorable profit margins. We may experience a disruption or increase in the cost of imported vendor products at any time for reasons beyond our control. If imported merchandise becomes more expensive or unavailable, the transition to alternative sources by our vendors may not occur in time to meet our demands or the demands of our customers. Products from alternative sources may also be more expensive than those our vendors currently import. Risks associated with reliance on imported goods include:

disruptions in the flow of imported goods because of factors such as:

raw material shortages, work stoppages, strikes and political unrest;

problems with oceanic shipping, including blockages at U.S. or foreign ports;

economic crises and international disputes; and

increases in the cost of purchasing or shipping foreign merchandise resulting from:

foreign government regulations;

changes in currency exchange rates or policies and local economic conditions; and

trade restrictions, including import duties, import quotas or loss of “most favored nation” status with the United States.

In addition, to the extent that any foreign manufacturer from whom our vendors are associated may directly or indirectly utilize labor practices that are not commonly accepted in the United States, we could be affected by any resulting negative publicity. Our net sales and operating income could decline if vendors are unable to promptly replace sources providing equally appealing products at a similar cost.

Problems with our information system software could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our financial results and materially adversely affect our business operations.

The efficient operation of our business is dependent on the successful integration and operation of our information systems. In particular, we rely on our information systems to manage effectively our sales, distribution, merchandise planning and replenishment, to process financial information and sales transactions and to optimize our overall inventory levels. Most of our information systems are centrally located at our headquarters, with offsite backup at other locations. Our systems, if not functioning properly, could disrupt our ability to track, record and analyze sales and inventory movement and could cause disruptions of operations, including, among other things, our ability to process and ship inventory, process financial information including credit card transactions, process payrolls or vendor payments or engage in other similar normal business activities. Any material disruption, malfunction or any other similar problem in or with our information systems could negatively impact our financial results and materially adversely affect our business operations.

Pressure from our competitors may force us to reduce our prices or increase our spending, which would lower our net sales and operating income.

The business in which we are engaged is highly competitive. The marketplace for sporting goods remains highly fragmented as many different retailers compete for market share by utilizing a variety of store formats and merchandising strategies. We compete with national chains that focus on athletic footwear, local sporting goods stores, department and discount stores, traditional shoe stores and mass merchandisers and, on a limited basis, national sporting goods stores. Many of our competitors have greater financial resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors employ price discounting policies that, if intensified, may make it difficult for us to reach our sales goals without reducing our prices. As a result of this competition, we may also need to spend more on advertising and promotion than we anticipate. We cannot guarantee that we will continue to be able to compete successfully against existing or future competitors. Expansion into markets served by our competitors, entry of new competitors or expansion of existing competitors into our markets could be detrimental to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operating results are subject to seasonal and quarterly fluctuations, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

We have historically experienced and expect to continue to experience seasonal fluctuations in our net sales, operating income and net income. Our net sales, operating income and net income are typically higher in the spring, back-to-school and Christmas holiday seasons. An economic downturn during these periods could adversely affect us to a greater extent than if a downturn occurred at other times of the year.

Our highest sales and operating income historically occur during the fourth fiscal quarter, due mostly to the holiday selling season. Any decrease in our fourth quarter sales, whether because of a slow holiday selling season, unseasonable weather conditions, slowing economic conditions, or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results for the entire fiscal year.

Our quarterly operating results, including comparable store net sales, will fluctuate and may not be a meaningful indicator of future performance and such fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our net sales and quarterly results of operations have fluctuated in the past and vary from quarter to quarter. A number of factors, many outside our control, can cause variations in our quarterly results, including changes in product demand that we offer in our stores which may be influenced by the retirement or demise of sports superstars key to certain product promotions or strikes or lockouts involving professional sports teams.

We cannot assure you that comparable store net sales will trend at the rates achieved in prior periods or that rates will not decline. Comparable store net sales vary from quarter to quarter, and an unanticipated decline in comparable store net sales may cause the price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. Factors which have historically affected, and will continue to affect our comparable store net sales results, include:

shifts in consumer tastes and fashion trends;

calendar shifts of holiday or seasonal periods;

the timing of new store openings and the relative proportion of new stores to mature stores;

the level of pre-opening expenses associated with new stores;

the amount and timing of net sales contributed by new stores;

changes in the other tenants in the shopping centers in which we are located;

pricing, promotions or other actions taken by us or our existing or possible new competitors; and

unseasonable weather conditions or natural disasters.

The market price of our common stock, like the stock market in general, is likely to be highly volatile. Factors that could cause fluctuation in our common stock price may include, among other things:

actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;

changes in financial estimates by investment analysts and our inability to meet or exceed those estimates;

additions or departures of key personnel;

market rumors or announcements by us or by our competitors of significant acquisitions, divestitures or joint ventures, strategic partnerships, large capital commitments or other strategic initiatives; and

sales of our common stock by key personnel or large institutional holders.

Many of these factors are beyond our control and may cause the market price of our common stock to decline, regardless of our operating performance.

We would be materially and adversely affected if our single distribution center were shut down.

We currently operate a single centralized distribution center in Birmingham, Alabama. We receive and ship substantially all of our merchandise at our distribution center. Any natural disaster or other serious disruption to this facility due to fire, tornado or any other cause would damage a portion of our inventory and could impair our ability to adequately stock our stores and process returns of products to vendors and could adversely affect our sales and profitability. In addition, we could incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to our stores during the time it takes for us to reopen or replace the center.

We depend on key personnel.

We have benefited from the leadership and performance of our senior management, especially Michael J. Newsome, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. If we lose the services of any of our principal executive officers, including Mr. Newsome, we may not be able to run our business effectively and operating results could suffer. In particular, Mr. Newsome has been instrumental in directing our business strategy and maintaining long-term relationships with our key vendors. The loss of principal executive officers could affect our ability to run our business effectively and our ability to successfully expand our operations.

On March 9, 2005, we entered into a Retention Agreement (the Agreement) with Mr. Newsome. The purpose of the Agreement is to secure the continued employment of Mr. Newsome as an advisor to us following his future retirement from the duties of Chief Executive Officer of our Company. Such retirement is not currently planned.

Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law might deter acquisition bids for us.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be deemed to have anti-takeover effects and may discourage, delay or prevent a takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest. These provisions, among other things:

classify our Board of Directors into three classes, each of which serves for different three-year periods;

provide that a director may be removed by stockholders only for cause by a vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our shares entitled to vote;

provide that all vacancies on our Board of Directors, including any vacancies resulting from an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the number is less than a quorum;

provide that special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Board of Directors or upon the demand of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at any such special meeting; and

call for a vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote in order to amend the foregoing provisions and certain other provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws.

In addition, our Board of Directors, without further action of the stockholders, is permitted to issue and fix the terms of preferred stock which may have rights senior to those of common stock. We are also subject to the Delaware business combination statute, which may render a change in control of us more difficult. Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Laws would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the Board of Directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

We currently lease all of our existing 745 store locations and expect that our policy of leasing rather than owning will continue as we continue to expand. Our leases typically provide for terms of five to ten years with options on our part to extend. Most leases also contain a kick-out clause if projected sales levels are not met and an early termination/remedy option if co-tenancy and exclusivity provisions are violated. We believe this leasing strategy enhances our flexibility to pursue various expansion opportunities resulting from changing market conditions and to periodically re-evaluate store locations. Our ability to open new stores is contingent upon locating satisfactory sites, negotiating favorable leases, recruiting and training qualified management personnel and the availability of market relevant inventory.

As current leases expire, we believe we will either be able to obtain lease renewals for present store locations or to obtain leases for equivalent or better locations in the same general area. Historically, we have not experienced any significant difficulty in either renewing leases for existing locations or securing leases for suitable locations for new stores. However, we are beginning to experience some difficulty in securing leases for new stores related to new construction due to the economic issues facing the commercial real estate market and landlords, thus reducing our ability to open stores at our historical rates. Based primarily on our belief that we maintain good relations with our landlords, that most of our leases are at approximate market rents and that generally we have been able to secure leases for suitable locations, we believe our lease strategy will not be detrimental to our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our corporate offices and our retail distribution center are leased under an operating lease. We own the Team Sales’ facility located in Birmingham, Alabama that warehouses inventory for educational institutions and youth associations. We believe our current distribution center is suitable and adequate to support our immediate needs in the next few years.

Store Locations

As of January 31, 2009, we currently operate 745 stores in 24 contiguous states, opening our first store in Wisconsin in the third quarter of Fiscal 2009. Of these stores, 218 are located in malls and 527 are located in strip-shopping centers which are typically influenced by a Wal-Mart store. The following shows the number of locations by state as of March 27, 2009:

Alabama	79	Illinois	17	Mississippi	53	South Carolina	32
Arizona	7	Indiana	18	Nebraska	5	Tennessee	50
Arkansas	36	Kansas	18	New Mexico	9	Texas	75
Florida	36	Kentucky	35	North Carolina	43	Virginia	20
Georgia	85	Louisiana	41	Ohio	20	West Virginia	8
Iowa	6	Missouri	23	Oklahoma	31	Wisconsin	1
						TOTAL	748

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

We are a party to various legal proceedings incidental to our business. We do not believe that any of these matters will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. We cannot give assurance, however, that one or more of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the period in which they are resolved. At January 31, 2009, we estimate that the liability related to these matters is approximately $47,000 and accordingly, have accrued $47,000 as a current liability on our consolidated balance sheet. As of February 2, 2008, we had accrued $0.8 million as it related to our estimated liability for legal proceedings which primarily consisted of an amount accrued for a pending lawsuit that has since been settled.

The estimates of our liability for pending and unasserted potential claims do not include litigation costs. It is our policy to accrue legal fees when it is probable that we will have to defend against known claims or allegations and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the anticipated expense.

From time to time, we enter into certain types of agreements that require us to indemnify parties against third party claims under certain circumstances. Generally, these agreements relate to: (a) agreements with vendors and suppliers under which we may provide customary indemnification to our vendors and suppliers in respect to actions they take at our request or otherwise on our behalf; (b) agreements to indemnify vendors against trademark and copyright infringement claims concerning merchandise manufactured specifically for or on behalf of the Company; (c) real estate leases, under which we may agree to indemnify the lessors from claims arising from our use of the property; and (d) agreements with our directors, officers and employees, under which we may agree to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising out of their relationship with us. We have director and officer liability insurance, which, subject to the policy’s conditions, provides coverage for indemnification amounts payable by us with respect to our directors and officers up to specified limits and subject to certain deductibles.

If the Company believes that a loss is both probable and estimable for a particular matter, the loss is accrued in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies. With respect to any matter, the Company could change its belief as to whether a loss is probable or estimable, or its estimate of loss, at any time. Even though the Company may not believe a loss is probable or estimable, it is reasonably possible that the Company could suffer a loss with respect to that matter in the future.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of our stockholders during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ/GS) under the symbol HIBB. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of shares of our Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ.

	High		Low
Fiscal 2009:
First Quarter ended May 3, 2008	$	19.42	$	13.59
Second Quarter ended August 2, 2008	$	23.31	$	16.97
Third Quarter ended November 1, 2008	$	25.15	$	13.41
Fourth Quarter ended January 31, 2009	$	17.69	$	11.74

Fiscal 2008:
First Quarter ended May 5, 2007	$	32.97	$	27.26
Second Quarter ended August 4, 2007	$	30.62	$	23.70
Third Quarter ended November 3, 2007	$	28.74	$	21.09
Fourth Quarter ended February 2, 2008	$	23.65	$	12.30

On March 27, 2009, the last reported sale price for our common stock as quoted by NASDAQ was $18.81 per share. As of March 27, 2009, we had 42 stockholders of record.

The Stock Price Performance Graph below compares the percentage change in our cumulative total stockholder return on its common stock against a cumulative total return of the NASDAQ Composite Index and the NASDAQ Retail Trade Index. The graph below outlines returns for the period beginning on January 31, 2004 to January 31, 2009. We have not paid any dividends. Total stockholder return for prior periods is not necessarily an indication of future performance.

Dividend Policy. We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and for our stock repurchase program, and therefore do not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future decision to declare or pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant.

Equity Compensation Plans. For information on securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see “Part III, Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”

Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data.

The following selected consolidated financial data has been derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements thereto.

	(In thousands, except per share amounts and Selected Operating Data)
	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 31,			February 2,			February 3,			January 28,			January 29,
	2009			2008			2007			2006			2005
	(52 weeks)			(52 weeks)			(53 weeks)			(52 weeks)			(52 weeks)

Income Statement Data:
Net sales	$	564,188		$	520,720		$	512,094		$	440,269		$	377,534
Cost of goods sold, including distribution center and store occupancy costs		378,817			351,876			338,963			293,368			255,250
Gross profit		185,371			168,844			173,131			146,901			122,284

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses		123,075			108,463			100,461			85,060			72,923
Depreciation and amortization		14,324			12,154			10,932			10,119			9,939
Operating income		47,972			48,227			61,738			51,722			39,422

Interest income		41			582			906			1,170			517
Interest expense		(660	)		(151	)		(30	)		(24	)		(42	)
Interest (expense) income, net		(619	)		431			876			1,146			475
Income before provision for income taxes		47,353			48,658			62,614			52,868			39,897

Provision for income taxes		17,905			18,329			24,541			19,244			14,750
Net income	$	29,448		$	30,329		$	38,073		$	33,624		$	25,147

Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	1.03		$	0.98		$	1.19		$	1.00		$	0.72
Diluted	$	1.02		$	0.96		$	1.17		$	0.98		$	0.70

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		28,547			31,049			32,094			33,606			34,856
Diluted		28,954			31,525			32,620			34,393			35,690

Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital	$	107,055		$	89,383		$	106,428		$	98,623		$	106,012
Total assets		235,087			216,734			212,853			195,829			202,105
Long-term debt		-			-			-			-			-
Stockholders' investment		136,575			119,055			136,641			124,773			130,039

Selected Operating Data:
Number of stores open at end of period:
Hibbett Sports		723			666			593			527			461
Sports & Co.		4			4			4			4			4
Sports Additions		18			18			16			18			17
Total		745			688			613			549			482

Note: No dividends have been declared or paid.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

Hibbett Sports, Inc. operates sporting goods stores in small to mid-sized markets, predominantly in the Southeast, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic and lower Midwest regions of the United States. Our stores offer a broad assortment of quality athletic equipment, footwear and apparel with a high level of customer service. As of January 31, 2009, we operated a total of 745 retail stores composed of 723 Hibbett Sports stores, 18 Sports Additions athletic shoe stores and 4 Sports & Co. superstores in 24 states.

Our primary retail format and growth vehicle is Hibbett Sports, a 5,000-square-foot store located primarily in strip centers which are usually influenced by a Wal-Mart store or in enclosed malls. Over the last several years, we have concentrated and expect to continue our store base growth in strip centers versus enclosed malls. We believe Hibbett Sports stores are typically the primary sporting goods retailers in their markets due to the extensive selection of quality branded merchandise and a high level of customer service. We do not expect that the average size of our stores opening in Fiscal 2010 will vary significantly from the average size of stores opened in Fiscal 2009.

The deteriorating global economic conditions experienced in Fiscal 2009 had an adverse effect on us. We experienced a slight decline in net income in Fiscal 2009 and an overall decline in net sales of equipment and licensed apparel. The impact of these decreases was offset by net sales increases in footwear and accessories and our continued successful implementation of our growth strategy. As a result, our gross profit increased in Fiscal 2009 compared to Fiscal 2008.

We historically have increases in comparable store net sales in the low to mid-single digit range. We plan to increase total company-wide square footage by approximately 6% in Fiscal 2010, which is less than our increases over the last several years of between 8% and 14%. We believe total sales percentage growth will be low to mid single digits in Fiscal 2010. Over the past several years, we have increased our product margin due to improved vendor discounts, fewer retail reductions and increased efficiencies in logistics. We have also experienced favorable leveraging of store occupancy costs. We expect a slight improvement in product margin rate in Fiscal 2010 attributable primarily to increased efficiencies from our previous investment in systems.

Although the macroeconomic environment will provide many challenges in the short-term, our management believes that our business fundamentals remain strong and that we are well-positioned for the future. We are a leader in the markets in which we compete and we will continue to benefit from our comparatively low operating costs compared to the costs of our competitors. We intend to manage our costs and inventories prudently as dictated by the current economic environment. Although at a slower pace than in prior years, we intend to continue to invest in initiatives to prepare for long-term growth.

Our management expects that the unfavorable global economic conditions experienced in the second half of Fiscal 2009 will continue. The economy is expected to have a negative impact on customer discretionary spending, which may negatively impact our net sales in Fiscal 2010.

Due to our increased net sales, we have historically leveraged our store operating, selling and administrative expenses. Based on projected net sales, we expect operating, selling and administrative rates to increase somewhat in Fiscal 2010, primarily due to lower than normal historical sales growth and increases in the statutory minimum wage. We also expect to continue to generate sufficient cash to enable us to expand and remodel our store base and to provide capital expenditures for both distribution center and technology upgrade projects.

Hibbett maintains a merchandise management system that allows us to identify and monitor trends. However, this system does not produce U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) financial information by product category. Therefore, it is impracticable to provide GAAP net sales by product category.

Hibbett operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of each year. The consolidated statements of operations for fiscal years ended January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008 includes 52 weeks of operations. The consolidated statement of operations for fiscal year ended February 3, 2007 includes 53 weeks of operations. We have operated as a public company and have been incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware since October 6, 1996.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.

	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 31,			February 2,			February 3,
	2009			2008			2007

Net sales		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Costs of goods sold, including distribution and store occupancy costs		67.1			67.6			66.2
Gross profit		32.9			32.4			33.8

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses		21.8			20.8			19.6
Depreciation and amortization		2.5			2.3			2.1
Operating income		8.5			9.3			12.1

Interest income		-			0.1			0.2
Interest expense		(0.1	)		-			-
Interest (expense) income, net		(0.1	)		0.1			0.2
Income before provision for income taxes		8.4			9.3			12.2

Provision for income taxes		3.2			3.5			4.8
Net income		5.2	%		5.8	%		7.4	%

Note: Columns may not sum due to rounding.

Fiscal 2009 Compared to Fiscal 2008

Net sales. Net sales increased $43.5 million, or 8.4%, to $564.2 million for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, from $520.7 million for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. We attribute this increase to the following factors:

We opened 69 Hibbett Sports stores while closing 12 Hibbett Sports stores for net stores opened of 57 stores in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009. New stores and stores not in the comparable store net sales calculation accounted for $41.0 million of the increase in net sales. Store openings and closings are reported net of relocations.

We experienced a 0.5% increase in comparable store net sales for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 compared to the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Higher comparable store net sales contributed $2.5 million to the increase in net sales.

Although we saw a decrease in store traffic, items per sales transaction improved by 2.8%.

The slight increase in comparable store net sales was primarily attributable to an increase in the number of items per transaction and improved efficiencies in systems that enhanced our ability to offer the right product in the right store. We also believe that the close proximity of our stores, coupled with branded merchandise selection and the higher average fuel costs for most of the year, encouraged the customer in our smaller markets to shop closer to home.

We experienced the following trends in Fiscal 2009:

Children’s footwear performed well, while women’s footwear weakened. Men’s marquee product performed well.

The decline in the urban apparel business was offset by increases in Mixed Martial Arts apparel and equipment.

Our strip center stores outperformed our enclosed mall stores.

Comparable store net sales data for the period reflects sales for our traditional format Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open throughout the period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. If a store remodel or relocation results in the store being closed for a significant period of time, its sales are removed from the comparable store base until it has been open a full 12 months. During the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, 581 stores were included in the comparable store net sales comparison. Our four Sports & Co. stores are not and have never been included in the comparable store net sales comparison because we have not opened a superstore since September 1996 nor do we plan to open additional superstores in the future.

Gross profit. Cost of goods sold includes the cost of inventory, occupancy costs for stores and occupancy and operating costs for the distribution center. Gross profit was $185.4 million, or 32.9% of net sales, in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, compared with $168.8 million, or 32.4% of net sales, in the 52 week period of the prior fiscal year. We attribute this increase in gross profit to improvement in shrinkage and markdowns. Store occupancy experienced its largest decrease in rent expense due to favorable lease terms resulting from co-tenancy violations and from renegotiating certain leases, while utility expenses increased as a percent to net sales. Distribution expenses experienced decreases in data processing costs while fuel costs increased.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses. Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were $123.1 million, or 21.8% of net sales, for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, compared with $108.5 million, or 20.8% of net sales, for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. Expenses contributing to this increase included:

Salary and benefit costs in our stores increased by 57 basis points resulting primarily from increased incentive sales pay and increases in the minimum wage. These expenses increased by 60 basis points at the administrative level primarily as the result of increased bonus accruals.

Legal fees decreased by 9 basis points due to the settlement of employment litigation early in the year. Inventory counting expenses decreased by 8 basis points as the result of taking fewer second store inventories compared to a year ago. Data processing costs decreased by 7 basis points as we passed the anniversary of our implementation of our new merchandising system. Freight and shipping expenses increased overall by 6 basis points, but have been decreasing with lower fuel costs in the last half of our fiscal year.

Stock-based compensation accounted for a decrease of 7 basis points primarily due to lower stock prices in Fiscal 2009 compared to Fiscal 2008.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization as a percentage of net sales was 2.5% in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, and 2.3% in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. The average lease term of new store leases added in Fiscal 2009 compared to those added in Fiscal 2008 decreased in lease terms to 6.65 years compared to 6.71 years, respectively. We attribute the slight increase in depreciation expense as a percent to net sales primarily due to a change in estimate of the economic useful life of leasehold improvements in certain underperforming stores.

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes as a percentage of net sales was 3.2% in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009, compared to 3.5% for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. The combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate as a percentage of pre-tax income was 37.8% for Fiscal 2009 and 37.7% for Fiscal 2008.

Fiscal 2008 Compared to Fiscal 2007

Net sales. Net sales increased $8.6 million, or 1.7%, to $520.7 million for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, from $512.1 million for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. We attribute this slight increase to the following factors:

We opened 82 Hibbett Sports and 2 Sports Additions stores while closing 9 Hibbett Sports stores for net stores opened of 75 stores in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. New stores and stores not in the comparable store net sales calculation accounted for $22.6 million of the increase in net sales. Store openings and closings are reported net of relocations.

We experienced a 3.1% decrease in comparable store net sales for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008 compared to the 52 weeks ended January 27, 2007 primarily as the result of a decrease in store traffic resulting from a difficult economic environment in our industry.

Net sales increased 4.1% for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008 compared to the 52 weeks ended January 27, 2007.

Net sales from the 53rd week of Fiscal 2007 accounted for approximately $11.8 million or approximately 2.4%.

We believe the decrease in comparable store net sales is attributable to overall economic pressures on our consumers resulting from the housing slump, rising fuel prices and anxiety over the economy in general. Additionally, our results were impacted by a weakening in our urban markets as we believe those fashion dollars historically used for high-priced athletic shoes and fashion items shifted to high-priced electronics. We experienced the following trends in Fiscal 2008:

We experienced an overall decline in footwear and equipment sales.

Pro-licensed apparel continued its slow down, especially in NBA licensed product.

We saw a negative shift in our urban fashion apparel and footwear.

Comparable store net sales data for the period reflects sales for our traditional format Hibbett Sports and Sports Additions stores open throughout the period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. If a store remodel or relocation results in the store being closed for a significant period of time, its sales are removed from the comparable store base until it has been open a full 12 months. During the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, 524 stores were included in the comparable store net sales comparison. Our four Sports & Co. stores are not and have never been included in the comparable store net sales comparison because we have not opened a superstore since September 1996 nor do we plan to open additional superstores in the future.

Gross profit. Cost of goods sold includes the cost of inventory, occupancy costs for stores and occupancy and operating costs for the distribution center. Gross profit was $168.8 million, or 32.4% of net sales, in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, compared with $173.1 million, or 33.8% of net sales, in the 53 week period of the prior fiscal year. We attribute this decrease in gross profit to a slight decrease in product margins and the deleveraging of store occupancy costs and distribution expenses. Store occupancy experienced its largest increases in rent expense and utilities expenses as a percent to net sales. Distribution expenses were impacted primarily in data processing costs resulting from contract labor costs to support information technology upgrades and projects.

Store operating, selling and administrative expenses. Store operating, selling and administrative expenses were $108.5 million, or 20.8% of net sales, for the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, compared with $100.5 million, or 19.6% of net sales, for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. Expenses contributing to this increase included:

Salary and benefit costs in our stores increased by 81 basis points while decreasing 29 basis points at the administrative level. Store costs were impacted by the lower than expected sales growth and larger than normal fourth quarter store openings, while administrative salaries decreased as a result of lost bonuses.

Net advertising expenses increased 18 basis points due to the increased advertising efforts for new and low performing stores.

Stock-based compensation accounted for 15 basis points. The expense associated with the movement of certain grant dates into the first quarter as compared to a year ago was somewhat offset by a higher than normal forfeiture of awards resulting from employee turnover and loss of performance-based awards.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization as a percentage of net sales was 2.3% in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, and 2.1% in the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. The average lease term of new store leases added in Fiscal 2008 compared to those added in Fiscal 2007 decreased in lease terms to 6.71 years compared to 7.62 years, respectively. We attribute the increase in depreciation expense as a percent to net sales to the shorter lease terms, as well as, the information systems placed in service as of February 4, 2007.

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes as a percentage of net sales was 3.5% in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008, compared to 4.8% for the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007. The combined federal, state and local effective income tax rate as a percentage of pre-tax income was 37.7% for Fiscal 2008 and 39.2% for Fiscal 2007. The decrease in rate over last year is primarily the result of the favorable resolution of certain state tax issues, lower than historical stock option exercise behavior, and higher than historical equity forfeitures offset somewhat by the permanent differences related to incentive stock options.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our capital requirements relate primarily to new store openings, stock repurchases and working capital requirements. Our working capital requirements are somewhat seasonal in nature and typically reach their peak near the end of the third and the beginning of the fourth quarters of our fiscal year. Historically, we have funded our cash requirements primarily through our cash flow from operations and occasionally from borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.

Our consolidated statements of cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):

	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 31,			February 2,			February 3,
	2009			2008			2007
Net cash provided by operating activities:	$	38,997		$	48,022		$	36,462
Net cash used in investing activities:		(13,781	)		(16,549	)		(2,997	)
Net cash used in financing activities:		(15,308	)		(51,098	)		(29,042	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	9,908		$	(19,625	)	$	4,423

Operating Activities.

Cash flow from operations is seasonal in our business. Typically, we use cash flow from operations to increase inventory in advance of peak selling seasons, such as pre-Christmas and back-to-school. Inventory levels are reduced in connection with higher sales during the peak selling seasons and this inventory reduction, combined with proportionately higher net income, typically produces a positive cash flow. In recent periods, we have experienced a trend of increasing free rent provisions in lieu of cash construction allowances in our leases. We believe this is primarily the result of the tightening of commercial credit on our landlords. Because of this, the non-cash portion of landlord allowances has also experienced increases.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $39.0 million for the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $48.0 million and $36.5 million in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008 and the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007, respectively.

Inventory levels have continued to increase year over year as the number of stores have increased, although the inventory per store is trending slightly down to flat. The increase in inventory used cash of $10.4 million, $16.0 million and $16.4 million during Fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, while the accounts payable increase provided cash of $0.3 million and $22.1 million during Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively, as we managed cash while protecting vendor discounts. During Fiscal 2007, the accounts payable decrease used cash of $3.9 million. Net income provided cash of $29.4 million, $30.3 million and $38.1 million during Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Also offsetting uses of cash were non-cash charges, including depreciation and amortization expense of $14.3 million, $12.2 million and $10.9 million during Fiscal 2009, Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense of $3.6 million, $3.7 million and $2.8 million during Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Investing Activities.

Cash used in investing activities in the fiscal periods ended January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007 totaled $13.8 million, $16.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Net purchases of investments were $0.1 million and $0.2 million during Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively, compared to net redemptions of short-term investments of $13.2 million during Fiscal 2007. Gross capital expenditures used $13.7 million, $16.4 million and $16.3 million during Fiscal 2009, Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007, respectively.

We use cash in investing activities to build new stores and remodel or relocate existing stores. Furthermore, net cash used in investing activities includes purchases of information technology assets and expenditures for our distribution facility and corporate headquarters.

We opened 69 new stores and relocated and/or remodeled 19 existing stores during the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009. We opened 81 new stores and relocated and/or remodeled 16 existing stores during the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008. We opened 73 new stores and relocated and/or remodeled 8 existing stores during the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007.

We estimate the cash outlay for capital expenditures in the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 will be approximately $18.3 million, which relates to the opening of approximately 70 new stores, remodeling of selected existing stores, information system upgrades and various improvements at our headquarters and distribution center. Of the total budgeted dollars for capital expenditures for Fiscal 2010, we anticipate that approximately 66% will be related to the opening of new stores and remodeling and or relocating existing stores. Approximately 22% will be related to information systems with the remaining 12% related primarily to office expansion, distribution center improvement and security equipment for our stores.

As of January 31, 2009, we had an approximate $0.2 million outlay remaining on enhancements to our merchandising system relating to inventory planning. We anticipate these upgrades will be implemented in the first half of Fiscal 2010 and believe these enhancements will enable us to analyze and generally improve sales across all markets and merchandise by allowing us to better analyze inventory at the store level.

Financing Activities.

Net cash used in financing activities was $15.3 million in the 52 weeks ended January 31, 2009 compared to $51.1 million and $29.0 million in the 52 weeks ended February 2, 2008 and the 53 weeks ended February 3, 2007, respectively. The cash fluctuation as compared to prior fiscal years was primarily the result of the repurchase of our common stock. We expended $16.9 million, $52.7 million and $33.0 million on repurchases of our common stock during Fiscal 2009, Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007, respectively.

Financing activities also consisted of proceeds from transactions in our common stock and the excess tax benefit from the exercise of incentive stock options. As stock options are exercised, we will continue to receive proceeds and expect a tax deduction; however, the amounts and timing cannot be predicted.

At January 31, 2009, we had two unsecured revolving credit facilities that allow borrowings up to $30.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, and which renew in August 2009 and December 2009, respectively. The facilities do not require a commitment or agency fee nor are there any covenant restrictions. We plan to renew these facilities as they expire and do not anticipate any problems in doing so; however, no assurance can be given that we will be granted a renewal or terms which are acceptable to us.

At February 2, 2008, we had a revolving credit facility that allowed borrowings up to $30.0 million and which renewed in August 2008. The facility did not require a commitment or agency fee and there were no covenant restrictions associated with the facility. At February 3, 2007, we had a revolving credit facility that allowed borrowings up to $15.0 million and renewed annually in November. The facility did not require a commitment or agency fee and there were no covenant restrictions associated with the facility.

As of January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007, we had no debt outstanding under any of our facilities. Based on our current operating and store opening plans and plans for the repurchase of our common stock, we believe we can fund our cash needs for the foreseeable future through cash generated from operations and, if necessary, through periodic future borrowings against our credit facilities.

The following table lists the aggregate maturities of various classes of obligations and expiration amounts of various classes of commitments related to Hibbett Sports, Inc. at January 31, 2009:

	Payment due by period (in thousands)
Contractual Obligations	Total		Less than 1 year		1 - 3 years		3 - 5 years		More than 5 years
Long-term Debt Obligations (1)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Capital Lease Obligations (2)		-		-		-		-		-
Operating Lease Obligations (3)		178,161		42,496		66,804		41,404		27,457
Purchase Obligations (4)		-		-		-		-		-
Other Long-Term Liabilities (5)		908		698		93		-		117
Total	$	179,069	$	43,194	$	66,897	$	41,404	$	27,574

(1)	See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statement Note 5 – Debt.”

(2)	As of January 31, 2009, we do not have any capital lease obligations.

(3)	See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements Note 9 – Lease Commitments.”

(4)

Purchase obligations would include any commitment to purchase goods or services of either a fixed or minimum quantity that are enforceable and legally binding on us and (1) that are non-cancelable, (2) that we would incur a penalty or termination fee if the agreement was cancelled or (3) that we must make specified minimum payments even if we do not take delivery of the contracted products or services. At January 31, 2009, we were not subject to any material obligation, either individually or in the aggregate, whereby we could not cancel without due notice and without penalty or termination fee.

(5)

Other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet primarily consists of deferred rent, long-term deferred income taxes and liabilities under our Supplemental 401(k) Plan. These liabilities have been excluded from the above table as the timing and/or amount of any cash payment is uncertain. See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statement Note 1 – Deferred Rent” for a discussion on our deferred rent liabilities. See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements Note 8 – Income Taxes” for a discussion of our deferred income tax positions and accruals for uncertain tax positions. See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements Note 6 – Defined Contribution Plans” for a discussion regarding our employee benefit plans. The table above includes stand-by letters of credit in conjunction with our self-insured worker’s compensation and general liability coverages and amounts accrued for director deferred compensation in cash payable upon retirement of the director.

Excluded from this table are approximately $2.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits which have been recorded as liabilities in accordance with FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, as the timing of such payments cannot be reasonably determined.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not provided any financial guarantees as of January 31, 2009. We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements.

Inflation and Other Economic Factors

Our ability to provide quality merchandise on a profitable basis may be subject to economic factors and influences that we cannot control. National or international events, including uncertainties in the financial markets, policies of the newly elected administration and unrest in the Middle East, could lead to disruptions in economies in the United States or in foreign countries where a significant portion of our merchandise is manufactured. These and other factors could increase our merchandise costs and other costs that are critical to our operations. Consumer spending could also continue to decline because of economic pressures.

Merchandise Costs. Based on current economic conditions, we expect that any increase in merchandise costs per unit will be offset by improved vendor discounts and increased retail prices in Fiscal 2010.

Freight Costs. We experienced higher fuel costs during most of Fiscal 2009 that increased our overall freight costs for the year. At the end of Fiscal 2009, freight costs had dropped significantly and somewhat leveraged, and we expect fuel costs to remain stable or rise slightly in Fiscal 2010. We do not expect any volatility in freight costs to have a material effect on our results of operations as we have historically leveraged the costs associated with inbound freight against the cost of outbound freight.

Minimum Wage. Recent increases in the mandated minimum wage have impacted our payroll costs. Congress approved federal minimum wage increases over a three-year period with the first increase of 13.6% taking place during Fiscal 2008 and the second increase of 12.0% taking place during Fiscal 2009. By July 2009, the federal minimum wage will increase an additional 9.7%. All of the states we operate in have either passed legislation to raise the minimum wage or their minimum wage is increasing in conjunction with the federal minimum wage. Some of the states have automatic provision for future increase based on the Consumer Price Index or on inflation. We expect wage increases to have a slight affect on our store operating, selling and administrative expenses.

Insurance Costs. In Fiscal 2009, general business insurance premiums were lower but we experienced an increase in the self-insured portion of workers’ compensation and general liability claims and increased our accrual for such claims. In Fiscal 2008, we experienced a decrease in general business insurance that began in Fiscal 2007, when we changed to a partially self-insured program for our workers’ compensation and general liability. During all three fiscal periods, we have experienced an increase in our average monthly health insurance claims. In Fiscal 2010, we expect that both general business insurance costs and health insurance costs will increase slightly, but do not expect these increases to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This statement identifies the sources for U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and lists the categories in descending order. An entity should follow the highest category of GAAP applicable for each of its accounting transactions. SFAS No. 162 is effective 60 days following SEC approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) amendments to remove the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles from auditing standards. The SEC approved the PCAOB amendments on September 16, 2008, making SFAS No. 162 effective on November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 162 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. This statement requires companies to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why they use derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, and its related interpretations and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No. 161 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 161 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in purchased entities, measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition based upon the definition of fair value outlined in SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. For us, SFAS No. 141(R) is effective for acquisitions beginning on and after February 1, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 141(R) to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement 115. This statement permits companies to elect to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value. At each reporting date subsequent to adoption, unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected must be reported in earnings. On February 3, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 159 and elected not to use fair value measurement on any assets or liabilities under this statement.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy, as defined. SFAS No. 157 may require companies to provide additional disclosures based on that hierarchy. This statement was to be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. In February 2008, FSP FAS No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, was issued which delayed the applicability of SFAS No. 157’s fair value measurements to certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities to those fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The adoption of the provisions of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Our Critical Accounting Policies

Our critical accounting policies reflected in the consolidated financial statements are detailed below.

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue, including gift card and layaway sales, in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements, as amended by SAB No. 104, Revenue Recognition.

Retail merchandise sales occur on-site in our retail stores. Customers have the option of paying the full purchase price of the merchandise upon sale or paying a down payment and placing the merchandise on layaway. The customer may make further payments in installments, but the entire purchase price for merchandise placed on layaway must be received by us within 30 days. The down payment and any installments are recorded by us as short-term deferred revenue until the customer pays the entire purchase price for the merchandise. We recognize revenue at the time the customer takes possession of the merchandise. Retail sales are recorded net of returns and discounts and exclude sales taxes.

In Fiscal 2009, we began a customer loyalty program, the MVP Rewards program, whereby customers enroll in the program and receive points in a variety of ways that are automatically converted into reward certificates based on program parameters that are subject to change. An estimate of the obligation related to the program, based on estimated redemption rates, is recorded as a current liability and a reduction of net retail sales in the period earned by the customer. The current liability is reduced, and a corresponding amount is recognized in net retail sales, in the amount of and at the time of redemption of the reward certificate. At January 31, 2009, the amount recorded in current liabilities for reward certificates issued was inconsequential.

The cost of coupon sales incentives is recognized at the time the related revenue is recognized. Proceeds received from the issuance of gift cards are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Revenue is subsequently recognized at the time the customer redeems the gift cards and takes possession of the merchandise. Unredeemed gift cards are recorded as a current liability.

It is not our policy to take unclaimed layaway deposits and unredeemed gift cards into income. As of January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007, there was no breakage revenue recorded in income. The deferred revenue liability for layaway deposits and unredeemed gift cards was $2.4 million and $2.1 million at January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, respectively. Any unrecognized breakage revenue is immaterial. We escheat unredeemed gift cards.

Inventory Valuation.

Lower of Cost or Market: Inventories are valued using the lower of weighted average cost or market method. Market is determined based on estimated net realizable value. We regularly review inventories to determine if the carrying value exceeds realizable value, and we record an accrual to reduce the carrying value to net realizable value as necessary. We account for obsolescence as part of our lower of cost or market accrual based on historical trends and specific identification. As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, the accrual was $2.0 million and $1.5 million, respectively. A determination of net realizable value requires significant judgment and estimates.

Shrink Reserves: We accrue for inventory shrinkage based on the actual historical results of our most recent physical inventories. These estimates are compared to actual results as physical inventory counts are performed and reconciled to the general ledger. Store counts are typically performed on a cyclical basis and the distribution center’s counts are performed mid-year and in late December or early January every year. In Fiscal 2009, the distribution center’s counts were performed quarterly. As of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, the accrual was $1.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Inventory Purchase Concentration: Our business is dependent to a significant degree upon close relationships with our vendors. Our largest vendor, Nike, represented approximately 51.4% and 48.5% of our purchases for Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively. Our second largest vendor represented approximately 8.4% and 6.6% of our purchases while our third largest vendor represented approximately 7.9% and 9.3% of our purchases for Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively.

Accrued Expenses. On a monthly basis, we estimate certain significant expenses in an effort to record those expenses in the period incurred. Our most significant estimates relate to payroll and payroll tax expenses, property taxes, insurance-related expenses and utility expenses. Estimates are primarily based on current activity and historical results and are adjusted as our estimates change. Determination of estimates and assumptions for accrued expenses requires significant judgment.

Income Taxes. We estimate the annual tax rate based on projected taxable income for the full year and record a quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the anticipated annual rate. As the year progresses, we refine the estimates of the year’s taxable income as new information becomes available, including year-to-date financial results. This continual estimation process often results in a change to our expected effective tax rate for the year. When this occurs, we adjust the income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date provision reflects the expected annual tax rate. Significant judgment is required in determining our effective tax rate and in evaluating our tax position and changes in estimates could materially impact our results of operations and financial position.

Uncertain Tax Positions: We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN No. 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109. The application of income tax law is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous. As such, we are required to make many subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As such, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgments can materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations. See “Part II, Item 8, Consolidated Financial Statements Note 8 – Income Taxes” for additional detail on our uncertain tax positions.

Litigation Accruals. Estimated amounts for claims that are probable and can be reasonably estimated are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The likelihood of a material change in these estimated accruals would be dependent on new claims as they may arise and the favorable or unfavorable outcome of a particular litigation. As additional information becomes available, we assess the potential liability related to pending litigation and revise estimates as appropriate. Such revisions in estimates of the potential liability could materially impact our results of operations and financial position.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining balance of long-lived assets may be impaired and not recoverable. Our policy is to recognize any impairment loss on long-lived assets as a charge to current income when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is assessed considering the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the asset’s remaining life. If estimated cash flows are insufficient to recover the investment, an impairment loss is recognized based on a comparison of the cost of the asset to fair value less any costs of disposition. Evaluation of asset impairment requires significant judgment and estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value at the date of grant of stock options granted under our stock option plans and stock purchase rights associated with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Volatility is estimated as of the date of grant or purchase date based on management’s estimate of the time period that captures the relative volatility of our stock. Beginning with the second quarter of Fiscal 2008, we base the risk-free interest rate on the annual continuously compounded risk-free rate with a term equal to the option’s expected term. Previously, we used the risk free interest rate on the date of grant or purchase date based on the U.S. Treasury rate with maturities approximating the expected lives of our options. The effects on net income and earnings per share (EPS) of stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, calculated using the fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights in accordance with the Black-Scholes options-pricing model are not necessarily representative of the effects of our results of operations in the future. In addition, the compensation expense utilizes an option-pricing model developed for traded options with relatively short lives. Our stock option grants have a life of up to ten years and are not transferable. Therefore, the actual fair value of a stock option grant may be different from our estimates. We believe that our estimates incorporate all relevant information and represent a reasonable approximation in light of the difficulties involved in valuing non-traded stock options. All estimates and assumptions are regularly evaluated and updated when applicable.

Insurance Accruals. We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including employee-related health benefits, a portion of which is paid by our employees, workers’ compensation and general liability. The estimates and accruals for the liabilities associated with these risks are regularly evaluated for adequacy based on the most current available information, including historical claims experience and expected future claims costs.

Operating Leases. We lease our retail stores and distribution center under operating leases. Many lease agreements contain rent holidays, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions. We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including cancelable option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty. We use a time period for our straight-line rent expense calculation that equals or exceeds the time period used for depreciation. In addition, the commencement date of the lease term is the earlier of the date when we become legally obligated for the rent payments or the date when we take possession of the building for initial setup of fixtures and merchandise.

Dividend Policy

We have never declared or paid any dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business and for our stock repurchase program, and therefore do not anticipate declaring or paying cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. Any future decision to declare or pay dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant.

Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (see “Part II, Item 9A, Controls and Procedures”).

Quarterly and Seasonal Fluctuations

Although our operations are influenced by general economic conditions, we do not believe that, historically, inflation has had a material impact on our results of operations as we are generally able to pass along inflationary increases in costs to our customers. However, in recent periods, we have experienced an impact on overall sales due to a consumer spending slowdown attributable to volatile fuel prices, higher unemployment, falling equity and real estate values and the limited availability of credit.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to market risk from interest rate fluctuations on our credit facilities, which bear an interest at rate that varies with LIBOR, prime or fixed rates. We have cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions that are in excess of federally insured limits per institution. With the current financial environment and the instability of financial institutions, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on our deposits.

At the end of Fiscal 2009, Fiscal 2008 and Fiscal 2007, we had no borrowings outstanding under any credit facility. There were 348 days during the fifty-two weeks ended January 31, 2009, where we incurred borrowings against our credit facilities for an average borrowing of $23.2 million. During Fiscal 2009, the maximum amount outstanding against these agreements was $47.1 million and the weighted average interest rate was 2.85%.

There were 106 days during the fifty-two weeks ended February 2, 2008, where we incurred borrowings against our credit facility for an average and maximum borrowing of $7.8 million and $18.4 million, respectively, and an average interest rate of 5.64%. There were twenty-four days during the fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2007, where we incurred borrowings against our credit facilities for an average and maximum borrowing of $2.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, and an average interest rate of 6.12%.

A 10% increase or decrease in market interest rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following consolidated financial statements and supplementary data of our Company are included in response to this item:

· Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

· Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008

· Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

· Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

· Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Investment for fiscal years ended January 31, 2009, February 2, 2008 and February 3, 2007

· Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Hibbett Sports, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Hibbett Sports, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2009. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Item 9A(b)). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Effective February 4, 2007, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for inventories and, as discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hibbett Sports, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, Hibbett Sports, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Birmingham, Alabama

March 31, 2009

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

ASSETS	January 31, 2009			February 2, 2008
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,650		$	10,742
Short-term investments		191			191
Trade receivables, net		2,624			1,899
Accounts receivable, other		2,764			3,676
Inventories		151,776			141,406
Prepaid expenses and other		3,822			5,348
Deferred income taxes, net		3,938			2,725
Total current assets		185,765			165,987

Property and Equipment:
Land and building		245			245
Equipment		44,171			40,338
Furniture and fixtures		23,280			20,991
Leasehold improvements		61,152			57,599
Construction in progress		2,776			2,564
		131,624			121,737
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		86,315			75,232
Net property and equipment		45,309			46,505

Deferred income taxes		3,481			3,780
Other assets, net		532			462
Total Assets	$	235,087		$	216,734

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	64,460		$	64,125
Accrued income taxes		-			688
Accrued payroll expenses		7,149			4,432
Deferred rent		4,445			4,379
Other accrued expenses		2,656			2,980
Total current liabilities		78,710			76,604

Deferred rent		16,543			18,012
Deferred income taxes		2,957			2,968
Other liabilities, net		302			95
Total liabilities		98,512			97,679

Stockholders' Investment:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
no shares issued		-			-
Common stock, $.01 par value, 80,000,000 shares authorized,
36,304,735 and 36,162,201 shares issued at January 31, 2009
and February 2, 2008, respectively		363			362
Paid-in capital		92,153			87,142
Retained earnings		211,003			181,555
Treasury stock, at cost; 7,761,813 and 6,723,113 shares repurchased
at January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008, respectively		(166,944	)		(150,004	)
Total stockholders' investment		136,575			119,055
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Investment	$	235,087		$	216,734

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 31, 2009 (52 weeks)			February 2, 2008 (52 weeks)			February 3, 2007 (53 weeks)

Net sales	$	564,188		$	520,720		$	512,094
Cost of goods sold, including distribution
center and store occupancy costs		378,817			351,876			338,963
Gross profit		185,371			168,844			173,131

Store operating, selling and administrative
expenses		123,075			108,463			100,461
Depreciation and amortization		14,324			12,154			10,932
Operating income		47,972			48,227			61,738

Interest income		41			582			906
Interest expense		(660	)		(151	)		(30	)
Interest (expense) income, net		(619	)		431			876
Income before provision for income taxes		47,353			48,658			62,614

Provision for income taxes		17,905			18,329			24,541
Net income	$	29,448		$	30,329		$	38,073

Basic earnings per share	$	1.03		$	0.98		$	1.19
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.02		$	0.96		$	1.17

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		28,547,435			31,049,058			32,094,127
Diluted		28,953,696			31,525,050			32,619,839

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, except share information)

	Fiscal Year Ended
	January 31, 2009			February 2, 2008			February 3, 2007
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income	$	29,448		$	30,329		$	38,073
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		14,324			12,154			10,932
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense, net		(925	)		673			(1,073	)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises		(388	)		(520	)		(1,232	)
Loss on disposal and write-down of assets, net		513			230			370
Stock-based compensation		3,556			3,677			2,837
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables, net		(724	)		(314	)		(55	)
Accounts receivable, other		912			(610	)		149
Inventories		(10,369	)		(16,022	)		(16,378	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,525			(326	)		(3,530	)
Accrued income taxes		(476	)		(4,154	)		6,005
Other assets, non-current		71			(288	)		(19	)
Accounts payable		336			22,109			(3,913	)
Deferred rent, non-current		(1,469	)		2,296			1,513
Accrued expenses and other		2,663			(1,212	)		2,783
Net cash provided by operating activities		38,997			48,022			36,462

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
(Purchase) sale of investments, net		(141	)		(191	)		13,227
Capital expenditures		(13,697	)		(16,376	)		(16,278	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		57			18			54
Net cash used in investing activities		(13,781	)		(16,549	)		(2,997	)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Cash used for stock repurchases		(16,940	)		(52,672	)		(32,958	)
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises		388			520			1,232
Proceeds from options exercised and purchase of
shares under the employee stock purchase plan		1,244			1,054			2,684
Net cash used in financing activities		(15,308	)		(51,098	)		(29,042	)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents		9,908			(19,625	)		4,423
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year		10,742			30,367			25,944
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$	20,650		$	10,742		$	30,367

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	659		$	151		$	30
Income taxes, net of refunds	$	21,162		$	22,031		$	19,608

Supplemental Schedule of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Deferred board compensation	$	10		$	33		$	31
Shares awarded to satisfy deferred board compensation		664			1,306			1,142

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

HIBBETT SPORTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

(in thousands, except share information)

	Common Stock										Treasury Stock
	Number of Shares		Amount		Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Number of Shares		Amount			Total Stockholders' Investment

Balance-January 28, 2006		35,734,752	$	357	$	75,166		$	113,624			3,127,700	$	(64,374	)	$	124,773

Net income									38,073								38,073

Issuance of shares from the employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $2,539		312,980		3		5,220											5,223

Adjustment to income tax benefit from exercises of employee stock options						(1,307	)										(1,307	)

Purchase of shares under the stock repurchase program												1,178,713		(32,958	)		(32,958	)

Stock-based compensation						2,837											2,837

Balance-February 3, 2007		36,047,732		360		81,916			151,697			4,306,413		(97,332	)		136,641

Net income									30,329								30,329

Cumulative effect of adopting FIN No. 48									(554	)							(554	)

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net									83								83

Issuance of shares from the employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $275		114,469		2		1,549											1,551

Purchase of shares under the stock repurchase program												2,416,700		(52,672	)		(52,672	)

Stock-based compensation						3,677											3,677

Balance-February 2, 2008		36,162,201		362		87,142			181,555			6,723,113		(150,004	)		119,055

Net income									29,448								29,448

Issuance of shares from the employee stock purchase plan and the exercise of stock options, including tax benefit of $212		142,534		1		1,425