Same-store sales of books rose 1.9% in the third quarter ended October 31, Hastings Entertainment reported. Total revenue at the retailer increased 6% in the period, to $119.6 million, and the pretax loss was cut to $2.8 million from $3.8 million.
The videogame category was the strongest performer in the quarter, with comp sales ahead 51.2%. Rental income was soft across the board, with revenue slipping to $23.3 million from $23.9 million, as the shift by consumers toward buying, rather than renting, videogames and movies continued. During the quarter, Hastings opened a new outlet in Meridian, Idaho, and relocated stores in Helena, Mont., and Manhattan, Kans.
For the first nine months of the year, total sales rose 6.8%, to $368.9 million. Book comp sales were up 2.7%.
