Case Study: Hibbett Sports Leverages JDA Solutions And Services To Increase Sales And Support Its Localized Market Strategy

In retail, one commandment reigns supreme: know your customer. The merchants at Hibbett Sports, Inc. live by that commandment every day, taking great pride in knowing the apparel-, shoe-, and ball-size requirements of nearly every school and sports league within a one-mile to five-mile radius of its 767 stores across 24 states.

This singular focus on delivering a localized customer experience has helped Hibbett Sports achieve significant growth over the years. The company's strong financial performance for its 2010 fiscal year, which featured a 5.2 percent increase in sales over the previous year, has prompted the company to project continued strong results at a time when other retailers continue to feel the impact of a slowed economy. According to Mike McAbee, Hibbett Sports' vice president of merchandise planning and replenishment, the retailer's use of advanced merchandising solutions from JDA Software has helped position the company for this success.