HKF Hancock Fabrics

Hancock Fabrics, Inc. (NYSE:HKF), today reported that sales in the four-week period ended April 30, 2005 totaled $28.5 million compared with $29.3 million in the same period of the prior year. Sales in comparable stores declined 2.7% in April. In the first quarter, total sales were $97.7 million versus $105.1 million in the same period of fiscal 2004. The current year quarter has one less day than 2004, because the Company changed its fiscal year-end from Sunday to Saturday. The effect of having one less day in the first quarter of 2005 was approximately $.7 million. Same store sales declined 6.9% in the quarter, comparing the same 90 days of both years. Hancock Fabrics, Inc. is a specialty retailer of fabric and related home sewing and decorating accessories. The Company operates 446 retail fabric stores in 42 states and operates an internet store under the domain name, www.hancockfabrics.com.