The means MCZ also had a kick ass quarter....
GameStop Reports Record Holiday Sales
Thursday January 10, 8:29 am ET
Total Sales Increase 35% Over Previous Year
Holiday Same Store Sales Increase 20%
Fiscal 2007 Earnings Guidance Raised by $0.13 per share
GRAPEVINE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME - News), the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, today reported sales results for the nine-week holiday period ending January 5, 2008.
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Total sales for the 2007 holiday period were $2,334.4 million, a 34.7% increase from the prior year holiday period of $1,732.8 million. Comparable store sales for the holiday period increased 20.0%.
R. Richard Fontaine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Driven by robust domestic and international sales, GameStop achieved the most successful holiday season results ever. Video game software sales grew by 45%, while the next generation installed base is now triple last year’s base and a very positive leading indicator for future sales growth.”
The top five video games sold during the holiday period were Activision’s GUITAR HERO III and CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE, ASSASSIN’S CREED by Ubisoft, Electronic Art’s ROCK BAND and Nintendo’s SUPER MARIO GALAXY.
Fontaine also stated that he “was particularly pleased with record holiday handheld sell-outs of the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP. The Nintendo Wii, even in the face of on-going seasonal shortages, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PlayStation 3, proved to be on many holiday wishlists as new console sales were very strong.
“Video gaming is redefining itself and attracting more players than ever as demonstrated by the growing number of Wii parties and Guitar Hero fests held not only at home, but also on college campuses, cruise ships and any place people are having fun.”
Updated Guidance
Based on sales trends to date, GameStop is increasing its fourth quarter 2007 comparable store sales guidance from a range of 7.0% to 9.0%, to be in a range of 15.5% to 16.5%. Full year comparable store sales are now expected to be in a range of 23.5% to 24.5%.
In addition, GameStop is also increasing its fourth quarter diluted earnings per share guidance to be in a range of $1.09 to $1.10. Full year earnings per diluted share guidance is now forecast to be in a range of $1.75 to $1.76, which is $0.13 per share higher than guidance issued on November 20, 2007.
