Forward-looking Statements

Certain written and oral statements set forth below or made by Hastings with the approval of an authorized executive officer constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future including statements relating to the business, expansion, merchandising and marketing strategies of Hastings, industry projections or forecasts, inflation, effect of critical accounting policies including lower of cost or market for inventory adjustments, the returns process, rental asset depreciation, store closing reserves, impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, revenue recognition, and vendor allowances, sufficiency of cash flow from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility and statements expressing general opinions about future operating results are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon our management's current estimates, assumptions and expectations, which are based on information available at the time of the disclosure, and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, consumer appeal of our existing and planned product offerings, and the related impact of competitor pricing and product offerings; overall industry performance and the accuracy of our estimates and judgments regarding trends; our ability to obtain favorable terms from suppliers; our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences, including with respect to new technologies and alternative methods of content delivery, and to effectively adjust our offerings if and as necessary; the application and impact of future accounting policies or interpretations of existing accounting policies; whether our assumptions turn out to be correct; our inability to attain such estimates and expectations; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the products we inventory, sell or rent; the degree to which we enter into and maintain vendor relationships; the challenging times that the U.S. and global economies are currently experiencing, the effects of which have had and will continue to have an adverse impact on spending by Hastings' current retail customer base and potential new customers, and the possibility that general economic conditions could deteriorate further; volatility of fuel and utility costs; acts of war or terrorism inside the United States or abroad; unanticipated adverse litigation results or effects; the effect of inclement weather on the ability of consumers to reach our stores and other factors which may be outside of our control; any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described herein. We undertake no obligation to affirm, publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

General

Incorporated in 1972, Hastings Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company," "Hastings," or "Hastings Entertainment") is a leading multimedia entertainment retailer. We operate entertainment superstores that buy, sell, trade and rent various home entertainment products, including books, music, software, periodicals, movies on DVD and Blu-ray, video games, video game consoles and consumer electronics. We also offer consumables and trends products such as apparel, t-shirts, action figures, posters, greeting cards and seasonal merchandise. As of April 30, 2012, we operated 138 superstores principally in medium-sized markets located in 19 states, primarily in the Western and Midwestern United States. We also operate three concept stores, Sun Adventure Sports, located in Amarillo, Texas and Lubbock, Texas, and TRADESMART, located in Littleton, Colorado.

We also operate a multimedia entertainment e-commerce web site offering a broad selection of books, software, video games, movies on DVD and Blu-ray, music, trends, and consumer electronics. We fill orders for new and used product placed at this website and also through Amazon Marketplace using our proprietary goShip program, which allows us to ship directly from stores. We have one wholly-owned subsidiary, Hastings Internet, Inc.

References herein to fiscal years are to the twelve-month periods that end in January of each following calendar year. For example, the twelve-month period ending January 31, 2013 is referred to as fiscal 2012.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We believe the following critical accounting estimates comprise our more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements. Our significant estimates and assumptions are reviewed, and any required adjustments are recorded, on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Lower of Cost or Market for Merchandise Inventory. Our merchandise inventories are recorded at the lower of cost, which approximates the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method, or market. As with any retailer, economic conditions, cyclical customer demand and changes in purchasing or distribution can affect the carrying value of inventory. As circumstances warrant, we record the lower of cost or market inventory adjustments. In some instances, these adjustments can have a material effect on the financial results of an annual or interim period. In order to determine such adjustments, we evaluate the age, inventory turns and estimated market value and returnability of merchandise inventory by product category and record an adjustment if estimated market value is below cost.

Rental Asset Depreciation. We have established rental asset depreciation policies that match rental product costs with the related revenues. These policies require that we make significant estimates, based upon our experience, as to the ultimate amount and timing of revenue to be generated from our rental product. We utilize an accelerated method of depreciation because it approximates the pattern of demand for the product, which is higher when the product is initially released by the studios for rental and declines over time. In establishing salvage values for our rental product, we consider the sales prices and sales volume of our previously rented product and other used product.

We currently depreciate the cost of our rental assets on an accelerated basis over six months or nine months, except for rental assets purchased for the initial stock of a new store, which are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 36 months. Rental assets, which include DVDs, Books on CD and Video Games, are depreciated to salvage values ranging from $4 to $15. Rental assets purchased for less than established salvage values are not depreciated.

We also review the carrying value of our rental assets to ensure that estimated future cash flows exceed the carrying value. We periodically record adjustments to the value of previously rented product primarily for estimated obsolescence or excess product based upon changes in our original assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If future demand or actual market conditions are less favorable than our original estimates, additional adjustments, including adjustments to useful lives or salvage values, may be required. We continually evaluate the estimates surrounding the useful lives and salvage values used in depreciating our rental assets. Changes to these estimates resulting from changes in consumer demand, changes in customer preferences or the price or availability of retail products may materially impact the carrying value of our rental assets and our rental margins.

The costs of rental product purchased pursuant to revenue-sharing arrangements, which are recorded in rental cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations, typically include a lower initial product cost than traditional rental purchases with a certain percentage of the net rental revenues shared with studios over an agreed period of time. Any up-front costs exceeding the designated salvage value are amortized on an accelerated basis, and revenue-sharing payments pursuant to the applicable arrangement are expensed as rental cost of sales as the related revenue is earned. Additionally, certain titles have performance guarantees. We analyze titles that are subject to performance guarantees and recognize an estimated expense for under-performing titles throughout the applicable period based upon our analysis of the estimated rental revenue shortfall. We revise these estimates on a monthly basis, based on actual results.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate under-performing stores on a quarterly basis to determine whether projected future cash flows over the remaining lease term are sufficient to recover the carrying value of the fixed asset investment in each individual store. If projected future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the fixed asset investment, an impairment charge is recognized if the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value of such assets. The carrying value of leasehold improvements, in addition to certain other property and equipment, is subject to impairment write-down.

Income Taxes. In determining net income (loss), we make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of the tax provision and the resulting tax liabilities and in the recoverability of deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. We record deferred tax assets and liabilities for future income tax consequences that are attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their income tax bases. We base the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities on enacted tax rates that we expect will apply to taxable earnings in the year when we expect to settle or recover those temporary differences. We recognize the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities on any change in income tax rates in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In determining the appropriate valuation allowance, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our ability to carry back operating losses to prior periods, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and the reversal of deferred tax liabilities.

The tax benefit from an uncertain tax position is recognized only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood, on a cumulative basis, of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize interest and penalties relating to any uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

Share-Based Compensation. Determining the amount of share-based compensation to be recorded in the statement of operations requires us to develop estimates that are used in calculating the grant-date fair value of stock options. In determining the fair value of stock options, we use the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires us to make estimates of the following assumptions:

• Expected volatility - The estimated stock price volatility is derived based upon our historical stock prices over the expected life of the option.

• Expected life of the option - The estimate of an expected life is calculated based on historical data relating to grants, exercises and cancellations, as well as the vesting period and contractual life of the option.

• Risk-free interest rate - The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities for a period that is commensurate with the expected life of the option.

Our stock price volatility and expected option lives involve management's best estimates at the grant date, both of which impact the fair value of the option calculated under the Black-Scholes pricing model and, ultimately, the expense that will be recognized over the vesting period of the option.

We recognize compensation expense only for the portion of options that are expected to vest. Therefore, we apply estimated forfeiture rates that are derived from historical employee termination behavior. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in future periods.

In addition to stock options, we award restricted stock awards, including restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock awards. The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards is equal to the average of the opening and closing stock price on the day on which they are granted. For performance-based restricted stock awards, compensation expense is recognized if management deems it probable that the performance conditions will be met. Management must use its judgment to determine the probability that a performance condition will be met. If actual results differ from management's assumptions, future results could be materially impacted.

Gift Card Breakage Revenue. We sell gift cards through each of our stores and through our web site www.goHastings.com. The gift cards we sell have no stated expiration dates or fees and are subject to potential escheatment rights in some of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Gift card liabilities are recorded as deferred revenue at the time of sale of such cards, with the costs of designing, printing and distributing the cards recorded as expense as incurred. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the liability was relieved and revenue was recognized only upon redemption of the gift cards. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we had sufficient historical data to analyze gift card redemption patterns and a final determination of the escheatment laws applicable to our operations. As a result, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we recorded approximately $8.5 million of revenue related to the initial change in estimated breakage on gift cards we previously issued and sold. Subsequent to the initial change in estimate related to gift card breakage, gift card breakage revenue is recognized as gift cards are redeemed, based upon an analysis of the aging and utilization of gift cards, our determination that the likelihood of future redemption is remote and our determination that such balances are not subject to escheatment laws applicable to our operations.

Results of Operations

The following tables present our statement of operations data, expressed as a
percentage of revenue, and the number of superstores open at the end of the
periods presented herein.



                                                        Three Months Ended
                                                             April 30,
                                                        2012           2011
       Merchandise revenue                                 86.2 %        84.2 %
       Rental revenue                                      13.7          15.7
       Gift card breakage revenue                           0.1           0.1

       Total revenues                                     100.0         100.0
       Merchandise cost of revenue                         67.9          69.0
       Rental cost of revenue                              34.8          37.3

       Total cost of revenues                              63.2          64.0

       Gross profit                                        36.8          36.0
       Selling, general and administrative expenses        35.8          35.2

       Operating income                                     1.0           0.8

       Other income (expense):
       Interest expense                                    (0.2 )        (0.2 )
       Other, net                                            -             -

       Income before income taxes                           0.8           0.6
       Income tax expense                                   0.1           0.3

       Net income                                           0.7 %         0.3 %

Summary of Superstore Activity (1)



                                        Three Months Ended          Year Ended
                                             April 30,              January 31,
                                        2012            2011           2012
         Beginning number of stores        140            146                146
         Openings                           -               1                  1
         Closings                           (2 )           (1 )               (7 )

         Ending number of stores           138            146                140

(1) As of April 30, 2012, we operated three concept stores, including two Sun Adventure Sports and one TRADESMART, which were not included in the summary of superstore activity. TRADESMART was opened August 2011. Our two Sun Adventure Sports stores were opened June 2010 and October 2011.