“This quarter, in fact this entire year, has offered a perfect illustration of how building diversity into our business has helped us sustain record-setting growth over multiple quarters and years,” stated Richard Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer, adding: “We have built strength across different banners and channels; we have a global footprint; we have excellent momentum in men’s, women’s, and kids’; and we have multiple legs to our product category stool, with leadership positions in basketball, running, and classic sneakers.”

Third quarter total sales were up by 3.6%, totaling 1 794 million US dollars compared with sales of 1 731 million US dollars for similar period in 2014. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the third quarter increased by 8.9%. Foot Locker’s gross margin rate improved to 33.8% of sales from 33.2% a year ago.

Net income totaled 80 million US dollars in the third quarter, with the inclusion of a 100 million US dollars pre-tax litigation charge relating to previously disclosed trial court decision in a lawsuit involving the company’s conversion of its pension plan in 1996. Excluding this charge, which reduced after-tax earnings by 43 cents per share, non-GAAP earnings totaled 1.00 US dollars per share, a 20% increase over the 83 cents per share the company earned in the same period last year on a comparable basis.

Net income for the company’s first nine months of the year increased to 383 million US dollars (2.71 US dollars per share) compared to net income of 374 million US dollars (2.55 per share) in similar period last year.

Year-to-date sales totaled 5 405 million US dollars, an increase of 3.1% compared to sales of 5 240 million US dollars in the corresponding nine-month period of 2014. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales year-to-date have increased by 8.9%.

During the third quarter, Foot Locker opened 30 new stores, remodeled or relocated 48 stores, and closed 16 stores. As at the 31st of October the company operated 3 432 stores in 23 countries in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition, 48 franchised Foot Locker stores were operating in the Middle East and South Korea, as well as 16 franchised Runners Point stores in Germany.