The U.S. chain, already with 268 stores in 34 states,plans to move beyond its Eastern base next year in a carefully controlledmanner that will try to identify regional differences in both merchandiseassortments and, more importantly, the timing of receipts in its quest tobecome a 700-store sporting goods giant that will dominate the big boxcategory. Dicks also noted that it believes it can nearly double the size ofthe chain in the East.

Those are among the comments the management made atthe annual Goldman Sachs retail conference in reiterating its long term targetsof expanding operating margin by 30 basis points per year, store ... Log in to view full article.