RadioShack’s Q4 Profits Up

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 3/8/2010

FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Cost controls, a new wireless carrier and a rebranding campaign helped boost RadioShack’s sales and profits for the fourth quarter and full year in 2009.

Total net sales and operating revenues increased 4.7 percent to $1.3 billion for the three months, ended Dec. 31, while net income soared 26 percent to $75.7 million. Comparable samestore sales for U.S. company-operated stores and kiosks increased 6.1 percent over the year-ago period.

The net sales gain was driven by a 6.1- percent increase in sales at U.S. company- owned stores, to $1.1 billion. The increase was partially offset by a $12.1 million decrease in kiosk sales due to fewer locations and the closure of the company’s Sprint-branded kiosks in August 2009, although the decline was partially offset by comp-store increases at kiosks that RadioShack operates for Sam’s Club. Sales at dealer-owned franchise stores declined for the quarter.