Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of value-priced footwear and accessories, has announced record sales and earnings for the third quarter ended October 29, 2005. Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 increased 46.3% to $7.2 million compared with net income of $4.9 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2004.

Net sales for the third quarter of 2005 increased 12.3% to a record $182.7 million from $162.7 million last year. Comparable store sales increased 8.3% for the 13-week period. Gross profit margin for the third quarter of 2005 increased to 29.5% from 29.1% last year.

Mark Lemond, president and chief executive officer, stated: "Thanks to a record breaking 21.2% comparable store sales increase in October, we posted the highest earnings ever in the company's history. This broke the record set in the first quarter of this year. With two record breaking quarters in 2005, we're obviously pleased with the results so far this year."

"Importantly, we continue to make great progress in our initiative of strengthening our women's dress and casual business. In fact, the largest quarterly comparable store sales increases came from women's dress shoes and women's boots, both of which were up 40%."

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